Silvio Berlusconi has "rekindled" his friendship with Vladimir Putin.
Silvio Berlusconi and Vladimir Putin are personal friends
The three-time Italian prime minister is set to become a key player in the new Italian government with his Forza Italia party and has received 20 bottles of vodka and a "very sweet" birthday card from the Russian leader.
Berlusconi, 86, is a personal friend of Putin and the relationship has sparked concern that Italy could be a weak link in Europe's alliance against Russia for the ongoing war with Ukraine.
In a leaked audio recording obtained by an Italian news agency, Berlusconi says: "I have rekindled relations with President Putin. For my birthday he sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a very sweet letter.
"I responded with bottles of Lambrusco and an equally lovely letter. I was declared the number one among his five true friends."
Berlusconi conceded on the tape that he is "very worried" about the war between Ukraine and Russia and suggested it would be a "disaster" if his thoughts on the conflict were revealed.
He said: "Russian ministers have said on many occasions that we are at war with them because we are supplying arms and money to Ukraine.
"I cannot express my personal opinion because if the press got hold of it, it would be a disaster, but I am very, very worried."