Pirelli leader in online meeting with Vladimir Putin

Moscow - Pirelli boss Marco Tronchetti Provera last week led a grouping of Italian business leaders in a video conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In the 26 Jan virtual meeting, Pirelli's CEO and executive vice chairman was serving in his role as co-chairman of the Russian-Italian Committee of Entrepreneurs.

According to a 26 Jan statement from Russia’s presidential executive office, the discussions centred on “developing and exploring new opportunities and building a new dialogue.”

With a particular focus on energy, the talks explored trade, economic and investment cooperation between Russia and Italy and prospects for further expanding bilateral business ties.

The meeting went ahead despite reported opposition from the Italian government due to concerns about current East-West tensions over Ukraine.