Russia is ready to step up dialogue with the United States over disarmament and strategic stability, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, adding that he discussed these issues with his American counterpart Donald Trump in Japan. "I think that reaching concrete measures in the field of disarmament would contribute to strengthen international stability. Russia has the political willingness to do it. Now it is up to the US" to decide, Putin was reported as saying in a interview with Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera. Putin, who will meet Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday, said he talked about these issues with president Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan last month. "Recently, it seems that Washington has started to reflect about stepping up dialogue with Russia over a wide strategic agenda," Putin added. The Russian president praised Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini for having a "welcoming attitude" to Russia, in an interview ahead of a visit to Italy which will include talks with the pope and former premier Silvio Berlusconi. Rome's historic center is on security lock-down for the Russian president's visit on Thursday with 50 streets blocked to traffic and Italian media reporting that mobile phone signals could be scrambled. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Putin said his United Russia party was working closely with Salvini's anti-immigration, nationalist League party. "The League and its leader Salvini actively support the restoration of full cooperation between Italy and Russia. They are pushing for a rapid abolition of the anti-Russian sanctions introduced by the US and the EU," Putin said. The US and EU imposed sanctions on Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Moscow's involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Praising Salvini, whose League party topped May's European elections in Italy, Putin said they had previously met in Milan in 2014. "We discussed the prospect of developing Italian-Russian ties and relations between Russia and the European Union," Putin said. "Salvini has a welcoming attitude towards our country, and is well informed on the situation in Russia." Salvini has previously visited Moscow and been pictured in pro-Putin T-shirts. Putin also highlighted his "affection" for Italy's notorious billionaire ex-four-time prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, known for his sex scandals, "bunga bunga" parties, allegations of corruption and conviction for tax fraud. "Silvio is a politician of global stature, a true leader who strongly advocates the interests of his country in the international arena," Putin said. "We are bound by a friendship stretching back many years," he added. — Agencies
