Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony upon Putin's arrival for their meeting at Palazzo Chigi on July 4, 2019, as part of Putin's one-day visit to Rome and The Vatican. - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Rome on July 4 for a lightning visit including talks with the pope and Italy's populist government, which has called for an easing of sanctions despite Moscow's ongoing crisis with the West. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)