Go to the media bankMOSCOW, Oct 21 Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that cannot confirm that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was sent a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin in the form of bottles of vodka. to the question whether Putin gave 20 bottles of vodka and how the Kremlin regards the statement about the violation of anti-Russian sanctions.September 2, 10:43 Berlusconi told an anecdote on TikTok about himself, Putin and Biden Last Tuesday, the LaPresse news agency reported that Berlusconi, at a meeting with deputies of his party, said that he had restored relations with Putin, with whom he had a long-term friendship, and he sent him «20 bottles of vodka and a very nice birthday letter.» According to the agency, Berlusconi responded with bottles of Lambrusco and an equally sweet letter. In June, the Italian politician said with chagrin that he called Putin twice, but received no answer. Berlusconi said in April that he was «disappointed and upset» by Putin over Ukraine. After the publication of the LaPresse note, Berlusconi-led Forward Italy issued a refutation of this information. Party sources said Berlusconi told an old story from several years ago. A similar version was expressed by Berlusconi's «right hand», Forward Italia vice president Antonio Tajani, who said that the episode took place in 2008. However, LaPresse later published an audio recording of Berlusconi's speech, insisting on his version. In a one-minute video, Berlusconi speaks of concern about the situation in Ukraine, and after the phrase about the exchange of letters and drinks, he said that Putin called him «the first of his five real friends.» The European Commission told RIA Novosti that the fifth package of sanctions adopted in April 2022 year, extends the ban on the import of goods from Russia to strong alcohol, among other things, to vodka. There are no exceptions for gifts and/or certain quantities. in Ukraine, Berlusconi said
