Rome: Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday for help in improving relations between the European Union and Russia and stop sanctions on Moscow. After meeting with Conte as part of a one-day visit to Rome, Putin said he hopes Italy will explain to the EU the damage that has been caused by economic sanctions imposed by the EU and the U.S. after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014.

"European nations missed the chance to sell billions worth of goods on the Russian market," Putin said at a joint news conference with Conte. "This means losses for all of us." Putin has acknowledged that sanctions have cost Russia an estimated $50 billion since 2014, but he contends EU nations have suffered even greater damage. Conte said Italy would act as far as possible to help restore a full relationship between Russia and the EU. Addressing the situation in Libya, the two leaders agreed that the parties in the conflict should conclude a cease-fire agreement and start dialogue. Putin, however, said Russia is not obligated to make any substantial effort in Libya because it has never bombed the country.