Russian President Vladimir Putin said
that Moscow considers Italy "one of its main economic partners"
ahead of an online meeting on Wednesday with a delegation of
Italian industrial groups.
Putin said that Italian energy firms were receiving Russian gas
"at prices much lower than the market rate" thanks to long-term
contracts with Gazprom.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday's meeting was
a regular event and had nothing to do with the Ukraine crisis
and sanctions against Russia.
He added, however, that three Italian firms had opted not to
take part in the meeting.
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