ROME, April 24 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's attempt to kiss a Russian woman factory worker turned into "a ridiculous gaffe," La Repubblica reported.
It happened Friday while Berlusconi, who was visiting Moscow, toured a factory with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and it got front page coverage in the Russian press.
La Repubblica, quoting from a report in the Russian paper Kommersant, said the prime minister approached one young factory worker and tried to kiss her.
The worker saw him heading in her direction and moved behind some of her co-workers to avoid him. But Berlusconi dived into the group after her.
"The worker, without saying a word, first resisted and then submitted to his enthusiasm, but without hiding her dismay," the newspaper said. Putin watched, clearly embarrassed.
During a subsequent news conference, Berlusconi -- whose gaffes are legendary, especially when traveling in other countries -- said he and Putin had competed over which of them could find and kiss the prettiest girl. "Naturally, he won," Berlusconi added.
Putin said nothing. But La Repubblica quoted the Russian press as saying that the Russian president does not appreciate "the excessive exuberance of his friend Silvio."
