The former prime minister of Italy took Putin's side on the Ukraine issue
Former three-time Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi took the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine issue. He said that Putin was forced to join the war in Ukraine. However, he also claimed that Putin in Kiev only wants to replace the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky with a new government. Al-Jazeera.
To prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, Russian forces started attacking Ukraine on the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. After that, the war has been going on for seven months. Moscow has already taken over one-fifth of the territory of Ukraine. Referendums are now being held in those regions to join Russia.
Despite not directly participating in this war, the United States and European countries have continued to provide full support to Ukraine. Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi gave an important interview to a local press on Thursday (September 22).
In the interview, the 85-year-old politician said that the Russian people, his party and ministers put pressure on President Putin to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine.
Berlusconi also said the Russian leader only wanted to replace Zelensky's government with a government made up of relatively 'gentle' people. But he faces an 'unexpected resistance' in Ukraine. He has come under criticism from the opposition in his own country for speaking on behalf of the Russian president.
General elections are going to be held in Italy next Sunday (September 25). Right-wing leader Silvio Berlusconi is participating in the election for the Forza Italia party. He made this comment on the Ukraine-Russia war issue before the election.
Meanwhile, referendums have begun in at least four regions of Russian-controlled Ukraine to join Russia. Pro-Moscow separatists launched referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia on Friday (September 23). The referendum will continue until Tuesday (September 27).
separatists organized the referendum, it is seen as a Russian initiative. Because, this referendum has the support of the country's government. Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia's move is a gross violation of international law. This will intensify the war.
Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. This war has been going on for seven months. Earlier this month, Russian forces retreated from Izium in the northeastern province of Kharkiv.
Soon after, the Moscow-backed leaders of these four Russian-controlled regions decided to hold a referendum to join Russia. The area of these four regions is about 15 percent of the total territory of Ukraine.
