TOKYO, August 5. /TASS/. Russia must not be an isolated country as its global participation is important in the solution of key issues on the international arena, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was quoted by Japan’s Nikkei daily as saying.

"Russia’s isolation should be prevented," the daily quoted Renzi as saying in an interview with the newspaper published on Wednesday.

"Russia currently is in the conflict with the United States and the countries of the European Union because of the situation in Ukraine, however, it [Russia] is the one of the most important partners in the resolution of the terrorism issue in the Middle East, particularly in the sphere of fighting against such extremist groups as Islamic State," the Italian premier was quoted as saying.

The Italian prime minister is paying an official visit to Japan and earlier in the week, during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both heads of the governments stressed importance of maintaining contacts with Russia despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.