05/12/2023 22:12 (act. 05/12/2023 22:20)
Zelenskyy expected in Italy and Germany ©APA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to visit Rome on Saturday. Initially, only a reception of President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace, seat of the head of the republic, was confirmed. It was to be expected that Zelenskyy would also use the day to talk with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Vatican is also working on a face-to-face meeting between Pope Francis and the Kiev guest.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the pontiff has been campaigning for a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Details of Zelenskyi’s stay in the Eternal City initially remained secret for security reasons. It was also unclear whether the Ukrainian would head to Germany after the Rome appointments. In Berlin, people have been preparing for Zelenskyy’s visit for several days now – but that wasn’t confirmed until Friday. Zelenskyy will receive the renowned Charlemagne Prize in Aachen on Sunday. It was not clear whether he himself would accept.