1 of 1 Zelenskyy is welcomed by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at Rome Airport this Saturday (13). Photo: Portal Zelenskyy is welcomed by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at Rome Airport this Saturday (13). — Photo: Portal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome, Italy on Saturday for talks with government officials and Pope Francis, who said in late April the Holy See was involved in a peacekeeping mission to end the war with Ukraine. Russia.
This is Zelenskyy’s first trip to Italy since invading Russia on February 24, 2022.
“An important visit for Ukraine’s next victory!” wrote the Ukrainian on a social network after disembarking.
“Today I am in Rome. I will meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis,” he added.
Before his trip to the Vatican, Zelenskyy is expected to hold separate meetings with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni visited Zelenskyy in Kiev in February. On that occasion, she ensured that Italy would continue to support Ukraine, despite the fact that some of her allies, most notably former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, have longstanding close ties with Moscow.
The meeting with the Pope was to be the most significant part of Zelenskyi’s stay in Italy. He met the Pope at the Vatican in 2020 and the two have had several phone calls since the war began.
Before the end of his trip to the country, the President of Ukraine is also expected to take part in a popular talk show on Italian television.