Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responds to Berlusconi's accusations against Zelenskyy

Nikolenko made the statement on Facebook. 

He reminded that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi criticized current Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels. 

"According to him, if Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stopped 'attacking' Donbas, there would have been no war," Nikolenko quoted the Italian politician.   

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry spokesman brought up the story of Berlusconi’s visit to Libya in 2010. At the time, the spokesman worked at the Ukrainian Embassy in Libya.

"I remember well how the then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi flew to meet with Muammar Gaddafi. During the official ceremony, in the presence of television cameras, Berlusconi kissed the hands of the Libyan dictator to demonstrate his loyalty. Berlusconi's ridiculous accusations against the Ukrainian president are an attempt to kiss Putin's hands, which are covered in blood. It is an attempt to demonstrate his loyalty to the Russian dictator," Nikolenko claimed.  

He also urged Berlusconi to realize that by spreading Russian propaganda, he encourages Russia to continue its crimes against Ukraine, for which he bears political and moral responsibility. 

"Instead, we highly appreciate the prompt response of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who confirmed the Italian government's unwavering support for Ukraine after Berlusconi's unacceptable statements," Nikolenko summarized. 

• Italian Prime Minister Meloni met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on February 9 in Brussels on the margins of a EU leaders’ meeting.