Putin on Berlusconi: 'I Have Always Admired His Wisdom'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Italian President Sergio Mattarella regarding the death of former Prime Minister and founder of the "Forza Italia" party, Silvio Berlusconi. In his telegram, President Putin referred to Berlusconi as a dear person and a true friend, as reported by kommersant.ru.

"Silvio Berlusconi will be remembered in Russia as a consistent and principled supporter of strengthening friendly relations between our countries. For me, Silvio was a dear person, a true friend. I have always sincerely admired his wisdom, his ability to make balanced and far-sighted decisions even in the most difficult situations. His departure from life is an irrevocable loss and great sorrow," the message reads.

Silvio Berlusconi passed away in the morning on June 12 at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. The former Prime Minister, leader of the "Forza Italia" party, was 86 years old. Berlusconi had been hospitalized the previous Friday and had been diagnosed with pneumonia and leukemia.

Berlusconi was born on September 29, 1936, in Milan. He graduated from the University of Milan with a degree in law. Before entering politics, he was engaged in business.

In the 1994 elections, his newly created "Forza Italia" party won as part of a center-right coalition, and Berlusconi was elected Prime Minister. However, he resigned less than a year later, in January 1995. The political figure managed to take on the role of Prime Minister again in 2001, leading the cabinet until 2006.

After a short period in opposition, Berlusconi's party, which was renamed the "People of Freedom," won a crushing victory in the 2008 elections. This time, Berlusconi held the position of Prime Minister until November 2011, when he was forced to resign amid an emerging economic crisis and European market mistrust regarding Italy's sovereign debt.