Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said today that President Vladimir Putin has offered to grant him Russian citizenship and appoint him to the position of Economy Minister.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Berlusconi have long been close friends. Photo:Reuters

"In Italy, I was marginalized, but Mr. Putin told me that he was ready to grant me citizenship and entrust me with running the Economy Ministry," La Stampa newspaper quoted Mr. Berlusconi as saying at a gala dinner.

"My future? To become a minister for my friend Putin," the 78-year-old disgraced politician added.

Mr Berlusconi, who has served as Italy's prime minister four times, has been dogged by scandal and a string of legal troubles over the years. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to three years in prison for bribing a senator.

Earlier this year, Berlusconi completed a community service order for corporate tax fraud. He was also cleared of charges of having sex with an underage dancer.

Putin and Berlusconi are longtime friends. During Putin's visit to Rome last month, the media billionaire pledged that his Forza Italia party would work to lift sanctions on Russia.

Two years ago, French actor Gerard Depardieu also befriended Mr Putin and was granted a Russian passport after protesting against tax increases for the country's super-rich.

(According to VNExpress)