Ukraine hit back Thursday at Silvio Berlusconi after the former Italian prime minister praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“He must be under the influence of Russian vodka,” blasted Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, writing in Italian on Twitter.
Berlusconi has “reconnected” with Putin and described himself as one of the Russian president’s “five real friends,” according to a leaked audio recording published in Italian media earlier this week.
Podolyak praised Italy’s expected next prime minister, the far-right Giorgia Meloni, who slapped down Berlusconi after the former leader’s inflammatory remarks.
“Any crisis opens the way for true leaders,” and Meloni “demonstrates what the true principles and understanding of global challenges are. Everyone chooses their own path,” Podolyak added.
Ukraine’s embassy in Italy said it was “saddened” to read Berlusconi’s comments describing them as “imperialist authoritarian statements.”
