There are still supporters of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government in many European countries. However, they are currently hiding their liking for Moscow, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, La Vanguardia reports.
"The Russian autocrat is not alone in his desire to split the world and turn back the clock. He has many allies in Europe who are now hiding their sympathy for him. But just a year ago, they were visiting him and praising his methods," Sanchez said.
After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was accused of having ties to Putin. Berlusconi was reported to have offered to mediate Ukraine's negotiations with Russia together with Merkel.
After leaving office in 2011, Berlusconi stayed in contact with Putin, whom he considers a friend.
The Head of Germany's Cybersecurity Agency, Arne Schonbohm, was also accused of close relations with the Russian "elite".