Italian, Russian leaders to meet

SOCHI, Russia, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrived in Russia Sunday for a three-day visit to develop "cultural and humanitarian ties" between the countries.

Berlusconi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea Town of Sochi to discuss ways to expand cultural relations, a Kremlin official told the Russian news agency Novosti. Also to be reviewed is international Russo-Italian cooperation with a view toward a September summit in New York and Russia's G8 presidency next year.

Putin's aide, Sergei Prikhodko, said the two leaders would talk about cooperation in the fight against terrorism as well as Russia's relationship with the EU and NATO.