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Berlusconi accuses West of 'irresponsible' Russia sanctions
United States, NATO and Europe have “incredibly and irresponsibly” wiped out progress made with Russia since end of Cold War, former Italian prime minister tells political rally
As Vladimir Putin faces new European Union sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, he has been able to count on at least one old friend to back him - Silvio Berlusconi.
On Sunday, the former Italian prime minister accused the West of “a ridiculously and irresponsibly sanctioning approach to the Russian Federation, which cannot but defend Ukrainian citizens of Russian origin that it considers brothers.”
Leaders from the United States, NATO and Europe have “incredibly and irresponsibly” wiped out the progress made in the relationship with Russia since the end of the Cold War, Mr Berlusconi told a political rally.
Mr Berlusconi, 77, who resigned as prime minister in 2011 and has since been expelled from parliament for a tax fraud conviction, is still active in Italian politics as the head of the centre-right Forza Italia part
As prime minister, he maintained excellent relations with Mr Putin, inviting him to his villa in Sardinia and attending a private party at the Russian leader’s dacha.
Last December, Mr Putin visited Rome and was photographed at Mr Berlusconi’s residence, throwing a ball for Dudu, the poodle belonging to Mr Berlusconi’s girlfriend Francesca Pascale.
Last week, it was reported that Mr Berlusconi offered Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi his services as a go-between to smooth over relations between Italy and Russia.
At the rally on Sunday, Mr Berlusconi also criticised Islamic violence in the Middle East. “I am dismayed over the re-explosion of Islam with its ferocious and inhumane pratices, and with its level of hatred, above all for Israel, which they are starting to again say should be erased from the map,” he said.