By Stephen Jewkes, Crispian Balmer and Vladimir Soldatkin MILAN/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of ties between Russia’s energy industry and Italy as he addressed Italian business leaders in a video-conference on Wednesday despite rising tensions over Ukraine. The meeting with top Italian companies, including state-controlled Enel, went ahead despite a call from Rome for business executives not to attend. Western leaders are stepping up preparations for any Russian military action against Ukraine and making plans to shield Europe from potential disru…