After the collapse of the USSR Italy undertook the mission of acting as a bridge between Russia and the main Western organizations: EU and NATO. Nonetheless the Russian transition to the Western model was not easy. Vladimir Putin introduced many changes in Russian home and foreign policies that collided with EU and NATO standards and expectations. Moreover the Russian elite criticized the EU and NATO's enlargement to the East. How has Italy reacted to the new scenario introduced by Putin? What has Italy done to take Russia closer to the West? Drawing on statements and initiatives by Italy's political leaders and also on the media of both countries, the essay will try to address these questions. The first part outlines the nature of the Italian - Russian partnership in the context of post-Soviet transition. The second focuses on Italian efforts to bridge Russia and the West in the new context introduced by Putin.