Putin visits Vatican, urges end to sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis in Rome on Wednesday to urge an end to European Union sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

At a brief news conference in Milan, Putin stressed the price that Italian businesses are paying for the economic sanctions lodged by the European Union against Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine during the conflict.

Putin said that several infrastructure projects, won in bidding by Italian companies, were stalled because of sanctions against some Russian financial institutions. Likewise, sanctions forced the cancellation of some military contracts, costing Italian companies $1.1 billion in revenue, Putin said.

Meanwhile, the U.S., using diplomatic channels, encourgaed the Vatican to use the private papal audience to join the West in condemning Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Kenneth Hackett, said the U.S. would like to see the Vatican increase its level of concern about what is happening in Ukraine. "We think they could say something more about concern of territorial integrity, those types of issues," Hackett told reporters. "It does seem that Russia is supporting the insurgents. And it does seem that there are Russian troops inside Ukraine. This is a very serious situation."

The leaders of the world's industrialized democracies for a second year in a row refused to let Putin join their G-7 summit, which ended earlier this week. They said sanctions against Russia won't be lifted until Moscow fully implements its part of the Ukraine peace accord, and could be increased if needed.

Russia accuses Ukraine of failing to launch political dialogue with the rebellious east and of keeping its economic blockade of areas controlled by pro-Russian rebels. Kiev, the United States, NATO and European leaders have blamed Moscow for supplying rebels with manpower, training and weapons. Russia denies the claims.

Both Putin and Renzi spoke confidently of moving forward after the eventual full implementation of the Minsk peace accords. Renzi praised Russia for being "in the front row in facing the global threats we are all facing."

While the pope has deplored the loss of life in Ukraine and called for all sides to respect the cease-fire, he has not publicly placed any blame on Russia, in an apparent bid to not upset Vatican relations with the Orthodox Church and in hopes of engaging Russia's help to confront the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

Hackett, the U.S. ambassador, noted that Putin had spoken about the plight of Christians, which is also an area of concern for the Vatican.

"I'd like to see if he's got a proposal," he said of Putin.

A cease-fire agreement has failed to stop the violence in Ukraine. The heaviest fighting in months broke out in recent days between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. 

The Associated Press