Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome today. “It is an honor to welcome you here, we are completely on the side of Ukraine, welcome, Mr President”, said Mattarella during the welcome at the Quirinal, seat of the Italian head of state.
Zelenskyy will also hold talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the meeting with Mattarella. He is then received in audience by Pope Francis. “An important visit for Ukraine’s victory,” Zelenskyy wrote in Telegram after his arrival in Rome.
Right-wing politician Meloni had previously supported arms deliveries to Ukraine before winning the election last September. On the other hand, his two coalition partners – Matteo Salvini of the right-wing Lega and Silvio Berlusconi of the conservative Forza Italia – have repeatedly made pro-Russian statements. Meloni met Zelenskyy in Kiev in February and pledged more support for Ukraine.