"There is no reasonable alternative to political and diplomatic efforts. This fully concerns the Iranian nuclear program, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and other conflicts," Vladimir Putin told a news conference following talks with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
He said both Russia and Italy agree that conflicts cannot be resolved by force. Prodi said the two countries will maintain close contacts within the UN to help resolve regional conflicts.
Italy became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the beginning of the year, which provides additional opportunities for political cooperation with Russia, one of the five permanent members on the council.
Italy is also a NATO member, while Russia is a proactive participant in such regional security organizations as the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
As for regional conflicts, Italy has maintained a military presence in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping operation.
Prodi and his government had to resign briefly last month after parliament refused to support their plans to keep the 2,000-strong contingent in the Central Asian country.
Russia's relations with Afghanistan have involved weapon supplies worth $200 million in 2002-05. Afghanistan has also expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Another sensitive international issue is Iran's controversial nuclear program. Italy, Iran's main trading partner in Europe, applied sanctions introduced by the UN Security Council in December over the Islamic Republic's failure to give up its disputed nuclear program.
Russia, also a key economic partner of Iran, has consistently supported the country's right to nuclear power under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and has resisted any harsh sanctions.
Iran's neighbor, Iraq, has been a serious international concern after the U.S.-led invasion. Italy's previous government led by Silvio Berlusconi sent troops to the war-torn country, but the Prodi government withdrew the 3,200-strong contingent in late 2006.
Moscow has been pushing for a comprehensive settlement in Iraq on the basis of a broad consensus in Iraqi society, which has been devastated by sectarian clashes.
