Italy–Russia relations are the bilateral relations between Russia and Italy, embodied in the so-called privileged relationship. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The relationship goes back a long way. In terms of international relations, there has been major culture to diplomatic interactions between Italy and Russia since the 15th century, apart from the role of Moscow's influence on the Italian Communist Party from 1920 to 1991. Communities of expatriates in each other's countries also exist.Daniel L. Schlafly Jr, "The great white bear and the cradle of culture: Italian images of Russia and Russian images of Italy." Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History 9.2 (2008): 389-406 at p 393.
History In the Middle Ages, the Italian maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa ruled the towns of Portus Pisanus and Tana on the coast of the Sea of Azov in present-day Russia. During Renaissance period there were significant culture exchange in terms of architecture and music. Prince Ivan III introduced Renaissance architecture to Russia by inviting a number of architects from Italy, who brought new construction techniques and some Renaissance style elements with them, while in general following the traditional designs of the Russian architecture. In 1475 the Bolognese architect Aristotele Fioravanti came to rebuild the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin, damaged in an earthquake. Fioravanti was given the 12th-century Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir as a model, and produced a design combining traditional Russian style with a Renaissance sense of spaciousness, proportion and symmetry. In 1485, Ivan III commissioned the building of a royal Terem Palace within the Kremlin, with Aloisio da Milano being the architect of the first three floors. Aloisio da Milano who replaced Pietro Antonio Solari built Palace of Facets, as well as the other Italian architects, also greatly contributed to the construction of the Kremlin walls and towers. The small banqueting hall of the Russian Tsars, called the Palace of Facets because of its facetted upper story, is the work of two Italians, Marco Ruffo and Pietro Solario, and shows a more Italian style.
In 1505, an Italian known in Russia as Aleviz Novyi built twelve churches for Ivan III, including the Cathedral of the Archangel, a building remarkable for the successful blending of Russian tradition, Orthodox requirements and Renaissance style.
In 1686–1699, the Republic of Venice and Tsardom of Russia were allies as part of the Holy League in the Great Turkish War against the Ottoman Empire.
Peter the Great and other Russian leaders looked to Italian cities for cultural models, especially in architecture and music. Italy for Russians has been the example of the highest stages of culture, whether classical, Renaissance, or Baroque. For example, the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg was modelled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Classical Russian literature of the 19th and early 20th centuries was strongly influenced by Renaissance Italy.Schlafly, "The great white bear and the cradle of culture: Italian images of Russia and Russian images of Italy." Many Italian architects were present during the time of Peter's reign and his successors. During Peter's reign notable Italian architects like Domenico Trezzini who designed Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. Followed by then came the Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli who was known for his distinctive "Rastrellian Baroque" style. His major works are located in the suburbs, in Peterhof Palace. Other Italian architects includes Antonio Rinaldi, Vincenzo Brenna, Carlo Rossi and Nicola Michetti who worked in Saint Petersburg to establish modern city. During the reign of Catherine the Great included the architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who developed an easily recognizable style of Late Baroque, both sumptuous and majestic.His works includes Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg and the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo which are famed for extravagant luxury. Also the most influential Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi who made supervision for the constricting of Alexander Palace. Even appointed to post of Catherine's court, the architect went on to produce remarkable number of designs for the Empress, her successors, her court members, houses, bridges, etc. During the reign of Elizabeth of Russia included the painter Stefano Torelli who painted ceilings in Royal Palace after being summoned by its court and even made some portraits, among the latter one of the Empress in armor as he was a brilliant caricatures, and also etched a few plates. Also during her reign another Italian born artists known as Giuseppe Valeriani who mainly painted murals and stage scenery.
After the victory against Napoleon in 1815, Russia challenged Austria's dominant position in northern Italy. Prince Klemens von Metternich successfully responded, and Tsar Alexander I of Russia finally went along in 1819–20.Alan J. Reinerman, "Metternich, Alexander I, and the Russian Challenge in Italy, 1815-20." Journal of Modern History 46.2 (1974): 262-276 online.
Petrushka remains the most famous puppet show in Russia. Italian puppeteers introduced it in the first third of the 19th century. While most core characters came from Italy, they were soon transformed by the addition of material from the Russian lubki and intermedii.Catriona Kelly, "From Pulcinella to Petrushka: The History of the Russian Glove Puppet Theatre." Oxford Slavonic Papers 21 (1988): 41-63.
Italian merchants flourished in Odesa in the 19th century. They helped develop commercial shipping in the Black Sea. They took an active role in the public and cultural life of the city and initiated projects for the improvement of business conditions in Odesa.Olena Fedenko, "The Activity of the Italian Merchants in Odessa during the XIXth Century." Danubius 34.2 (2016): 31-42 online.
Tsar Nicholas I of Russia (ruled 1825–1855) was a major collector, patron and promoter of the arts. He favoured Italian culture and imposed his tastes and aesthetic orientation on the works that he bought for his personal art collection and for the New Hermitage museum, which he inaugurated in 1852.Damiano Rebecchini, "An Influential Collector: Tsar Nicholas I of Russia." Journal of the History of Collections 22.1 (2010): 45-67. For example:- The most important Italian born artisans includes Fyodor Bruni active under his reign during Romantic Period known for his history paintings including The Brazen Serpent (Bruni).
Russia and the Kingdom of Sardinia were enemies in the Crimean War of 1853–1856.
In response to Italian unification, Russia broke off diplomatic relations with Sardinia-Piedmont (now the Kingdom of Italy) in 1861. However, relations were reestablished the following year.
As Poles and Italians supported each other's independence efforts against foreign empires in the 19th century, the Italian government allowed a Polish Military School in Genoa/Cuneo to provide training to Polish officers in exile in 1861–1862, who then fought in the Polish January Uprising in the Russian Partition of Poland in 1863–1864. The Italian volunteer Garibaldi Legion fought alongside Polish insurgents against Russia in the uprising, with General Francesco Nullo killed in the Battle of Krzykawka.
In 1909, Italy and Russia entered into a secret agreement known as the Racconigi Bargain. This agreement was concluded on October 24, 1909, at the Castle of Racconigi, Italy. The terms of the agreement included Italy's recognition of Russian interests in the Turkish Straits and Russia's recognition of Italian interests in Tripoli and Cyrenaica as significant diplomatic move for both countries. It facilitated Italy's preparations for the Italo-Turkish War two years later.
In 1914, Italy refused to follow its official allies, Germany and Austria-Hungary, into World War I. It negotiated for a better deal with the Allies, especially in terms of gaining territory from the Austria-Hungary. Russia had its own interest in that region, which complicated negotiations, but its negotiating position was greatly weakened by its heavy military losses. Britain and France managed to make Russia by April 1915 abandon its support for most of Serbia's claims and accept terms for Italy's entry into the war, which would limit Russia's strategic presence in the postwar Adriatic.Paul Du Quenoy, "With allies like these, who needs enemies?: Russia and the problem of Italian entry into World War I." Canadian Slavonic Papers 45.3-4 (2003): 409-440.
Italian-Soviet relations In the Polish–Soviet War of 1919–1921, Italy supported Poland against Soviet Russia, and sold large amounts of weapons to Poland, including millions of rifles and bullets, 45 cannons and many uniforms.
The governments of Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italy and Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union recognized each other as de jure governments of their respective countries and established diplomatic relations on 7 February 1924, shortly after the death of Vladimir Lenin. A preliminary trade agreement had been made on 26 December 1921, which one historian noted the pact "signified the de facto recognition of the Soviet Union" by Italy.Stephen White, The Origins of Detente: The Genoa Conference and Soviet-Western Relations, 1921-1922 (Cambridge University Press, 2002) p. 21 Both states signed a Treaty on Friendship, Non-Aggression and Neutrality on 2 September 1933, and although the treaty formally remained in effect until the Italian declaration of war against the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, relations had already degraded with the advent of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the Spanish Civil War.
Palmiro Togliatti was the longtime leader of the Italian Communist Party from 1927 to 1964. He remained in Moscow when Mussolini's fascist government arrested all leading members of the Communist Party. The Comintern, under Stalin's guidance, chose Togliatti as the party leader for Italy. He remained in Moscow but kept the party solidly together. During World War II, he directed the Italian communist resistance and returned to Italy in 1944. Stalin did not permit the Italian communists to make an effort to take over Italy from 1944 to 1945. Togliatti kept in close touch with Moscow and became a major player in Italian politics. He was typically outmaneuvered by the Christian Democrats with their American allies.Aldo Garosci, "Palmiro Togliatti," Survey. 1964, Issue 53, pp 140-147.Elena Agarossi and Victor Zaslavsky, Stalin and Togliatti: Italy and the Origins of the Cold War (2011) pp. 32, 229
In 1936, the League of Nations imposed economic sanctions on Italy for its aggression in Ethiopia. The Soviet Union publicly supported sanctions "as a matter of principle", and complied with the sanctions on specific commodities after they went into effect, but overall Soviet-Italian trade remained close to pre-sanctions levels. The sanctions only affected three products which the USSR exported to Italy (iron ore, manganese, and chromium), and Soviet exports of other goods increased during the sanctions period, so that total Soviet exports to Italy only dropped to 83.5% of their pre-sanctions levels, which was a slight reduction compared to other countries such as Britain which dropped its exports to 8.6%. Soviet oil sales to Italy increased during sanctions, and the Soviet Union also supplied 91% of Italy's import of oats, which were used to feed the horses of the Italian military. Soviet imports from Italy were small before the sanctions period and remained at similar levels.Lowell R. Tillett, "The Soviet Role in League Sanctions Against Italy, 1935-36." American Slavic and East European Review 15.1 (1956): 11-16 online.