The 20 bottles of vodka despatched to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi as a birthday present from Russian President Vladimir Putin breach European sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, the European Fee mentioned on Thursday (20 October).
Former prime minister Berlusconi, whose Forza Italia social gathering is about to be a member of Italy’s new coalition authorities, prompted controversy this week when he mentioned he was again in contact with Putin and had not too long ago exchanged “candy letters” with him.
“For my birthday he despatched me 20 bottles of vodka and a really candy letter,” Berlusconi, who turned 86 final month, advised his decrease home lawmakers, in line with the audio issued by information company LaPresse.
An EU sanctions bundle agreed in April prolonged an import ban for Russian items to incorporate spirits, together with vodka, a Fee spokesperson mentioned in a press release, including there was no exemption for presents.
Nonetheless, it’s as much as particular person EU member states to implement the sanctions, they mentioned, and it was not instantly clear if any motion could be taken to pursue the case by Italian authorities.
In response to Berlusconi’s reported feedback on Putin and the warfare in Ukraine, Giorgia Meloni, who is predicted to be Italy’s subsequent prime minister, mentioned on Wednesday her new authorities could be pro-NATO and absolutely part of Europe.
Her proper coalition with Matteo Salvini’s Lega (ID) and Berlusconi’s Forza Italia (EPP) is presently in talks to type a authorities.
The participation of Forza Italia is required to type a brand new authorities, however Berlusconi’s more and more worrying pro-Russia stance has put negotiations to the take a look at.
