The 20 bottles of vodka that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi received as a birthday present from dictator Putin violate European sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This was announced by the European Commission, Reuters informs.

The package of EU sanctions prohibits the import of Russian goods, in particular alcoholic beverages, including vodka, according to the statement of the spokesperson of the Commission.

There are no exceptions for gifts in the sanctions package.

However, the European Commission clarified that the implementation of sanctions depends on individual EU member states.

It is not yet known whether any action will be taken by the Italian authorities.

Putin's gifts scandal

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose Forza Italia party is set to become a member of Italy's new coalition government, sparked controversy when he said he had reconnected with Putin and had recently exchanged letters and gifts with him.

"For my birthday, he sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a very nice letter. I responded with bottles of lambrusco [Italian wine] and an equally nice letter," Berlusconi said.

Accusations against Zelenskyi

Silvio Berlusconi also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi of starting a war against the Russian Federation and attacking the quasi-republics of the LPR and DPR.

In response to these statements, Giorgia Maloni, who is expected to become the next prime minister of Italy, said that her new government will be pro-EU and strong, and anyone who does not agree with this cannot be part of the new government.

At the same time, according to the media, Berlusconi and his Forza Italia party should be included in the new coalition government of Italy.

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