Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni attends a press conference after a foreign minister meeting of the EU founding members in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 2016. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

BERLIN (Reuters) - Italy’s foreign minister said on Tuesday he would welcome a more open approach towards Russia from the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.

“If there is a more open attitude towards Russia then I am not worried, I am happy,” Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said at an event in Berlin.

He said that he and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was sitting on the stage with him, had long supported stronger engagement with Russia.