Berlusconi’s words about Zelensky generated controversy

Berlusconi, the 86-year-old leader of Forza Italia, told reporters after voting in Lombardy’s regional elections that “if I were prime minister, I would never have gone to talk to Zelenskiy.”

Defending that Zelenskiy caused the destruction of his country and the massacre of its soldiers and civilians, Berlusconi said: “If he had stopped attacking the two autonomous republics of Donbas, this would have been enough for him. This did not happen. Therefore, I find the behavior of this gentleman extremely negative. To achieve peace, the American president should call Zelensky and present him with a plan, like the Marshall plan, to rebuild Ukraine after the end of the war and tell him to declare a ceasefire.” he said.

Berlusconi’s statements became the agenda in Italy. As the opposition reacted to Berlusconi, a message came through from the government that support for Ukraine was strong.

The opposition responds

Simona Malpezzi, a senator from the main opposition Democratic Party, said: “Does Giorgia Meloni agree with Berlusconi’s disturbing statements about the war in Ukraine? Today he officially sided with Putin’s Russia. This prime minister and his government should not complain about how he is treated in the EU”. saying.

Carlo Calenda, leader of the opposition Action Party, recalled in a Twitter post that the Foreign Minister is from Berlusconi’s party, saying: “Berlusconi is starting his pro-Putin shit again, unlike the EU and the Minister of Foreign Relations and the government that is. a part of.” he used the phrase.

DECLARATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BERLUSCONI PARTY

“The Italian government’s support for Ukraine is unequivocal and solid, as clearly foreseen in the government program and confirmed by all the parliamentary votes of the majority parties supporting the executive,” an official of the prime minister told the media. saying.

Following Berlusconi’s remarks, Antonio Tajani, coordinator of his Forza Italia party and deputy prime minister and foreign minister in the right-wing coalition government, also made a statement on Twitter.

“Forza Italia has always been on the side of the independence of Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the West. We will continue to vote in accordance with our government program with our government partners on all channels.” she made the assessment of him.

Berlusconi, whose close friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is known to all, came to the fore with the reflection of a voice recording containing his words about Zelenskiy last October.

Berlusconi put forward the thesis that Russia was “pushed into war” in the sound recording in question, saying: “(In Ukraine) Zelensky comes to power and the attacks triple. Putin is under pressure in Russia. He then he has to perform a special operation. He entered the Ukraine and from the third day met unexpected resistance from the Ukrainians, who began to receive money and weapons from the West. It went from being a two-week operation to a war. I cannot foresee how Putin and Zelensky can be brought together at the mediation table. Because that’s not possible. To me it’s Zelensky… Never mind, I can’t say that.” He had used the words.

These words of Berlusconi caused controversy in Italy at the time. (AA)