×
Enjoying ad-free content?
Since July 1, 2024, we have disabled all ads to improve your reading experience.
This commitment costs us $10,000 a month. Your support can help us fill the gap.
Support us
Our journalism is banned in Russia. We need your help to keep providing you with the truth.

Mitrokhin Requests Investigation of Putin's Meeting With Berlusconi

Yabloko party leader Sergei Mitrokhin submitted an appeal to the Prosecutor General's Office to investigate the reason for a meeting in Sochi between President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Gazeta.ru reported.

The three leaders met March 8 and 9 at the Sochi ski resort Krasnaya Polyana.

In his letter, Mitrokhin notes that Berlusconi is under investigation for a number of criminal offenses connected to corruption and says there may be a "corrupt relationship" between the trio.

"The leadership of the country is demonstrating an exclusive relationship with a representative of the foreign private sector, which may indicate the presence of an illegal relationship," Mitrokhin wrote.

The Yabloko leader also noted that "contrary to established practice, the websites of the president and prime minister did not specify the purpose of the meeting, but reported only that it occurred."

The nature of Berlusconi's relationship with Russian leaders has been questioned before. In a diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks in 2010, U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli said Berlusconi was overly sympathetic to the Russian leaders because of a personal interest in joint gas projects.

When the cable was made public, Berlusconi denied that personal interests affected his relationship with Russian leadership.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more