Turmoil within the coalition of Fratelli D’Italia (FdI) leader and likely future premier Giorgia Meloni has risen further after alliance partner and Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi told his party’s lawmakers on Tuesday that he has reconnected with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a video recording, Berlusconi can be heard saying he had “re-established relations with Putin,” exchanging gifts and “sweet” letters with the Russian leader.

The ex-premier and media magnate also said Putin had ranked him as one of his five best friends.

Berlusconi, who had recently suggested Putin had in some way been pushed into invading Ukraine, has been at odds with Meloni over the formation of the new government team.

The friction peaked last week when FI failed to back FdI bigwig Ignazio La Russa in the Upper House vote that saw him elected the new Senate Speaker last week.

On Tuesday Berlusconi suggested that a deal on the new cabinet had not been finalised during peace talks with Meloni on Monday, saying he was insisting on former Senate Speaker Elisabetta Casellati becoming justice minister, while the FdI leader wants former prosecutor and FdI MP Carlo Nordio to take the job.

FdI Lower House whip Francesco Lollobrigida said on Wednesday that the incoming government would continue to support Ukraine regardless of Berlusconi’s comments.

“We remain with the Ukrainian people and the defence of democracy in that nation, and also proudly within the Western axis, as the centre right said in its election campaign,” Lollobrigida said.

“Nothing has happened to change that position.

“When it comes to what other people say, you’ll have to ask those other people.”

Berlusconi then doubled down on his controversial remarks, seemingly dismissing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in recorded remarks to FI on Tuesday, according to a recording by the Lapresse news agency.

“I can’t see how Putin and Zelensky can sit at a negotiating table,” said the 86-year-old,

“Because there’s no possible way. Zelensky, in my view...forget about it, I can’t say”, the recording went on.