20 bottles for Italy
Gibbori’s vodka for Berlusconi by Putin violates sanctions
A vodka birthday gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin to former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appears to violate European Union sanctions against Russia.
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Vladimir Putin sent Silvio Berlusconi a birthday present.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, 86, reported a birthday present. Sender: Kremlin President Vladimir Putin (70). As confirmed by a spokeswoman for the European Commission when asked by the German news agency, it was decided in April 2022 to extend the ban on the import of goods from Russia into the European Union to include spirits, including vodka.
The corresponding legal basis does not provide for an exception for gifts. Member states are responsible for implementing EU sanctions. The authorities in Italy must determine who is responsible for the alleged violation of sanctions. Berlusconi said Putin sent him 20 bottles of vodka for his birthday.
Here’s what Berlusconi says about Putin
His comments about Putin, published on Tuesday evening, have again raised doubts about the future government’s determination to take action against Moscow. In a recording of a secretly recorded speech by Berlusconi, the politician, who turned 86 on September 29, said he had been in touch with the Kremlin chief again and that he called him one of his five best friends.
In the audio recording, the former head of government, who Forza Italia wants to form the future government as a junior partner in a right-wing coalition, said: “I have resumed relations with President Putin a little, a little, so he sent me 20 bottles of vodka for my birthday and a very sweet message.”
On Thursday, Berlusconi tried to defuse his comments. He condemned the Russian attacks on Ukraine. The published data has been completely taken out of context.
The European Union does not examine individual cases
The spokeswoman said the European Commission was not looking into individual cases of how sanctions would be applied. For sanctions violations, they can be reported to the relevant national authorities of the Member States or anonymously via the EU Whistleblower Tool. (SDA)
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