Putin expresses hope for full restoration of relations with EU
At a press conference after the meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Rome, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia hopes that the new EU leadership will be interested in restoring full-fledged relations with Moscow.
"About the assessment of Ursula Von der Leyen (the candidate for the post of the European Commission President) ... We do not know how she will present herself," he said as quoted by RBC news agency.
"We have been used to the fact that Russia should take steps forward. We treat others with patience, with understanding. We see the efforts of Italy in this direction, and we know about their obligations within the EU and NATO," the Russian President added.
On July 2 during a summit in Brussels EU leaders have put forward German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen to the post of European Commission President. She can replace Jean-Claude Juncker from Luxembourg in this position. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, became a contender for the post of the President of the European Central Bank.