SEVASTOPOL (Sputnik) — Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he was deeply impressed by Crimea.
On Friday, Berlusconi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Crimea, the destination of the Italian politician's private visit.
"I think the whole Crimean land is beautiful, I was very impressed by earth, the sea and mountains," Berlusconi told reporters.
According to him, Putin showed him very interesting places on the Black Sea peninsula, in particular the ancient city of Tauric Chersonese, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is the third meeting of Putin and Berlusconi this year. Early in June, the Russian president traveled to Rome to meet with Pope Francis and Italian leadership, including Berlusconi. Following the meeting, Berlusconi said that his Forza Italia party would advocate for lifting the anti-Russia economic sanctions imposed by the European Union due to the Ukrainian crisis.