Mr. Putin gave me 20 bottles of vodka and a very sweet letter on my birthday, Berlusconi, 86, shared in a video recording his speeches at a meeting with lawmakers published by the Italian newspaper La Presse on October 18.
La Presse did not say when the recording was recorded. However, Berlusconi's birthday is September 29.
The former Italian prime minister and Forza Italia party leader said he had returned Putin a "sweete letter" with bottles of Lambrusco wine.
Forza Italia spokesman denied that Berlusconi had contacted Mr. Putin again. The spokesman said the former Italian prime minister was telling lawmakers an old story from a few years ago.
According to Bloomberg, Italy's newly elected right-wing coalition, led by Giorgia Meloni, is forming a government and negotiating cabinet positions with Berlusconi and other allies.
Ms. Giorgia Meloni supported Italy's sending of aid and weapons to Ukraine as well as expressed solidarity with Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Berlusconi's party also issued a statement saying Berlusconi's stance on Ukraine is "all-knowledged and in line with the viewpoints of Europe and the US.
Mr. Silvio Berlusconi's stance has been repeated many times, on many public occasions. There is and has never been any space for ambiguity.
