Berlusconi’s new comments about friendship with Putin leaked

La Presse news agency published a secretly taped speech by Berlusconi to other members of the Forza Italia party in Parliament on Tuesday evening. The 86-year-old says he is in touch with the Russian president again and that Putin has described him as one of his five best friends.

The party had earlier denied the remarks, but after the recording was released, Berlusconi appeared to be still on par with Europe and the United States.

“I have resumed relations with President Putin a little, a little very, so on my birthday he sent me 20 bottles of vodka with a very nice message,” the statement read. Berlusconi said he sent Putin Italian wine and “both a sweet letter”. Putin also called the Italian his “five true friends.”

Forza Italia wants to sit as a junior partner in a right-wing coalition for the future government.

Worry about support

Some Italians and Ukrainians are concerned about Italy’s support for Kiev against Russia once the new government of election winner Giorgia Meloni of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia takes power.

Berlusconi stated a few weeks ago that Putin had been forced to launch his offensive.

Those close to him dismissed the statements about the gifts exchanged as “old stories.” But in the recording, Berlusconi spoke frankly about the Russian war in Ukraine. According to him, the West is engaged in this for a long time “because we give Ukraine arms and money.”