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Italian PM urges Russian president to fully implement Minsk agreement

Xinhua, June 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at the Milan world exposition that the implementation of the Minsk agreement is the only way out of the Ukraine crisis.

"We have shared the fundamental principle that the Minsk agreement is the North Star, the compass, the point of reference of all efforts," Renzi told a joint press conference after talks with Putin.

Renzi called on the agreement to be "fully implemented in order to be able to overcome the Ukraine crisis."

"The true question today is about the Minsk agreement. Once it is implemented, the phase of tensions, debate and sanctions will be overcome," he said.

The implementation of the Minsk agreement, Renzi said, would also strengthen collaboration with Russia at the international level.

He stressed Russia already has a key role in the handling of global issues in troubled areas of the world including Iran, Syria and Libya. Such a role, he said, is "already considered very important by all European and Western countries."

"I believe it is an objective truth to say that in such a complex international scenario, Russia must be in the front line along with Europe, along with the United States, along with all people of good will to face the global challenges," Renzi went on saying.

"By fully accepting and adhering to the Minsk agreement, we can take out from the table the only element of divergence with Russia, considered that there is profound convergence on the other issues," he stated.

Putin said the Minsk agreement "shall be applied in all political, military, humanitarian and social aspects, which have not all fully implemented so far. There is no other solution than peace."

Putin was in Milan on Wednesday to inaugurate the Russia National Day at Expo Milano 2015 ahead of a diplomatic tour in Italy. Later in the day, he will travel to Italian capital Rome, where he will meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Putin's visit came after the European Union (EU) decided to extend economic sanctions against Russia - which were due to expire in July - over the Ukraine crisis. Endit