an audio reveals the bottles and the letters that are sent

Silvio Berlusconi is “the first of the five true friends” of Vladimir Putin, a fact that at this point is not news but that in full formation of the government in Italy and with the former prime minister as a participant in that negotiation shakes up the process. Berlusconi’s praise for Putin came to light this Tuesday – “he is a peaceful and sensible person” – which Forza Italia was quick to deny. Hours later, the LaPresse agency published the audios that confirmed the veracity of the information.

“After a long time – Berlusconi is heard saying in a closed-door ceremony with parliamentarians from his party -, I have somewhat resumed relations with President Putin, who for my birthday (September 29) has sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a very kind letter. I have responded with bottles of Lambrusco and an equally kind letter”. The tycoon also assures that the Russian president considers him “the first of five true friends of his.”

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At first, Forza Italia claimed that it was “an old story told about an episode from many years ago”, but in the audio there are elements of pure current affairs, such as Italy’s aid to Ukraine. Berlusconi’s words also lead to the fear that demonstrations of this type would spread, knowing that Putin is at this time the number one enemy of the international community and among public opinion.

“If the press is told…”

“Russian ministers have said that we are at war against them because we provide weapons and financing to Ukraine. I personally cannot express my opinion because if it were told to the press it would be a disaster, but I am very, very, very worried,” says the politician. .

At 86, Berlusconi is still in politics and is key to the government of his country along with his coalition partners, the far-right Giorgia Meloni (Brothers from Italy) and Matteo Salvini (Northern League). Since last Thursday he has been a senator, nine years after being disqualified from public office convicted of tax fraud.

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This leak denies the Berlusconi who aspired to return to power. He began by keeping quiet about the Russian invasion and it was not until April 9, a month and a half later, that he spoke out, pressured to speak out because of his close ties to Putin. He came to say at first that his friend had no other choice after being pushed by his party and his ministers, to later describe the invasion as “unjustifiable and unacceptable.”

Berlusconi ended up giving a very different opinion to the one that is now known: “I cannot and I do not want to hide that I am deeply disappointed and hurt by the behavior of Putin, who has assumed a very serious responsibility before the whole world. We are facing an aggression without precedent of a neutral country fighting for its freedom. After 239 days of war, he comments privately that his “friend of his” is “a peaceful and sensible person.”