Head of state Sergio Mattarella had a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Quirinale Palace on Thursday during his one-day official visit to Italy, Mattarella's office said in a statement.
Italy's foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi also attend the talks, the statement said.
Putin was greeted with an honour guard as he arrived at the Quirinale Palace for the meeting, which is said to have lasted 90 minutes.
Putin earlier had an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and was later due to hold talks with Italy's president Giuseppe Conte.
The visit comes as the Russian leader seeks to bolster economic ties with NATO and European Union member Italy.
