ROME, July 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he maintains friendly relations with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whom he considers a "world-class politician", Putin said in an interview with Corriere della Sera on the eve of his official visit to Italy.

"With Berlusconi we are connected by a long-lasting friendship. Silvio is a world-class politician, a real leader who defends the interests of his country on the international arena. His sincere desire to maintain and increase the potential between our countries deserves respect. We do not manage to see each other often, but when we have the opportunity, he never allows himself to talk about domestic politics. And I also don’t do that," Putin said.

Putin also recalled his meeting in Milan in 2014 with the current Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of the Interior, Head of Lega Nord Matteo Salvini. According to him, the party and Salvini "actively support restoring full cooperation between Russia and Italy, and favor speedy rejection of the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the US and the EU. "Here our positions coincide completely," Putin said.

It was reported earlier that the Russian delegation will include ministers and business representatives, in particular, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, Chairman of VEB Igor Shuvalov, Head of Rosneft Igor Sechin, Head of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, Head of RDIF Kirill Dmitriev.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that when the entire official work program is over, Putin is going to meet with Berlusconi.