Zelensky meets Italy’s PM earlier than talks with Pope Francis in Rome
The Vatican has launched a behind-the-scenes initiative to attempt to finish the struggle launched final 12 months by Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky was greeted at Rome’s Ciampino airport by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Tajani informed reporters that Italy will proceed to help Ukraine “360 degrees” and press for a simply peace, one which safeguards Ukraine’s independence.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni staunchly backs army and different help for Ukraine.
But whereas her far-right Brothers of Italy celebration fiercely champions the precept of nationwide sovereignty, Ms Meloni has needed to deal with leaders of two coalition companions who’ve brazenly professed for years their admiration for Russian dictator Putin.
Silvio Berlusconi, the previous premier, boasted of his friendship with Putin, whereas one other authorities ally, League chief Matteo Salvini, has questioned the worth of financial sanctions in opposition to Russia.
Mr Zelensky tweeted: “Today in Rome, I’m meeting with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni and the Pope @Pontifex. An important visit for approaching victory of Ukraine!”
Ukraine’s president started his official conferences by calling on Mattarella, who’s head of state, on the presidential Quirinale Palace.
Rain let up simply in time about midday for the 2 to view an honour guard within the palace courtyard atop the Quirinal Hill, and Mr Zelensky stood along with his hand over his coronary heart as an Italian army band performed Ukraine’s anthem.
“We are fully at your side,″ Mattarella told Mr Zelensky at the start of their meeting.
The Ukrainian leader then headed to the premier’s office at Chigi Palace.
The pair embraced in the palace courtyard, before the two headed to their closed-door talks.
En route to his appointments, Mr Zelensky’s motorcade passed by cheering Ukrainians who had waited in the rain to welcome him during his visit to the Italian capital, expected to last several hours.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella escorting Volodymyr Zelensky
/ Quirinale Press Office/AFP via GNear the presidential palace was Mariya Hrytskevych, a Ukrainian citizen living in Italy, who noted that Mr Zelensky is “traveling a lot for our good — to fight and to find more help, because we need help.”
Mr Zelensky is believed to be heading to Berlin subsequent.
His precise schedule hadn’t been publicly introduced due to safety considerations, and the Vatican solely confirmed a papal assembly shortly earlier than the Ukrainian president’s aircraft touched down.
Italian state radio reported that as a part of protecting measures, a no-fly zone was ordered for Rome skies and police sharpshooters had been strategically positioned on excessive buildings.
Ms Meloni met with Zelensky in Kyiv, shortly earlier than the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Pope Francis, who is raring for peace, final met with the Ukrainian chief in 2020.
The pontiff makes frequent impassioned pleas on behalf of Ukraine’s “martyred” folks, in his phrases.
At the top of April, flying again to Rome from a visit to Hungary, Pope Francis informed reporters on the aircraft that the Vatican was concerned in a behind-the-scene peace mission however gave no particulars. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed such an initiative.
He has stated he want to go to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, if such a go to could possibly be coupled with one to Moscow, in hopes a papal pilgrimage might additional the reason for peace.
Last month, Ukraine’s prime minister met with Pope Francis on the Vatican and stated he requested the pontiff to assist Ukraine get again kids illegally taken to Russia in the course of the invasion.