Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will not attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow due to the current financial recession in Europe, the presidential administration said in a statement on Sunday.
Berlusconi, along with other European leaders, currently takes part in numerous initiatives to overcome the financial crisis, which require constant attention and coordination, the statement said.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy also cancelled his participation in Sunday's events in Moscow for the same reason.
ROME, May 9 (RIA Novosti)
