Silvio Berlusconi says Vladimir Putin sent him vodka and ‘sweet letter’

The occasion was Mr Berlusconi’s 86th birthday on September 29, LaPresse said, four days after the right won the most votes in Italy’s national election

Silvio Berlusconi (LaPresse via AP)

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who has a longtime friendship with Vladimir Putin, has been caught on audiotape boasting that he had recently reconnected with the Russian president and exchanged gifts of vodka, wine and “sweet” letters.

Italy’s LaPresse news agency published what it said were comments by Mr Berlusconi, 86, to his centre-right Forza Italia politicians during a meeting this week in the lower Chamber of Deputies.