U.S. Wary of Italy, Russia Ties, Guardian Says, Citing WikiLeaks
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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s close relationship with Russian premier Vladimir Putin concerned U.S. authorities, according to the Guardian, one of five newspapers that have published diplomatic cables posted by WikiLeaks.org.
Cables between the U.S. embassy in Rome and Washington mention “lavish gifts” exchanged between Putin and Berlusconi and lucrative energy contracts sought by the Italian prime minister, the Guardian said.