There was an apparent air of awkwardness as Pope Francis welcomed the Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican.<br /><br /> The pair met for about 50 minutes and it is understood the issue of Ukraine dominated with the men agreeing on the need to recreate a climate of dialogue.<br /><br /> The Vatican said the pope told Putin that it was essential to resolve the “grave humanitarian situation” and allow aid into conflict areas.<br /><br /> They also stressed the Minsk peace deal must be implemented to end fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatist rebels., allegedly armed by Moscow. <br /><br /> Putin met the pope after holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the Milan Expo.<br /><br /> There too, many were expecting a response to Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region last year.<br /><br /> But the Italian leader showed next to no sign of breaking ranks over European Union sanctions against Russia.<br /><br /> Putin’s visit comes two weeks before the EU i
