The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, landed in Rome this Saturday (13) for his first official visit to Italy since the beginning of the Russian invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.
In meetings with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Ukrainian leader thanked Italy for its support in the conflict and heard the promise that aid, including military aid, will continue until Kiev obtains a “just peace”.
Under close surveillance, Zelensky landed in Rome around 10:15 (local time) and checked into a hotel in Rome, from where he made his way to the Quirinale Palace, seat of the Presidency of the Republic.
“It is an honor to have you here in Rome. I asked to see you again after our meeting years ago, even in this different condition. We are fully at your side”, declared Mattarella upon receiving Zelenskyj.
“I reconfirm Italy’s full support for Ukraine in terms of military, financial, humanitarian and reconstruction aid, in the short and long term. Not only is Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity at stake, but also the freedom of peoples and the international order”, added the Italian president.
Mattarella also pledged support for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and said peace with Russia must be “true, and not a surrender”.
Zelensky, for his part, said he would like to “embrace the Italians, one by one, for their support at all levels”. “We share values with Italy. We are for peace, our victory is peace. We are open to all international contributions, but peace must provide justice throughout our territory,” he said.
In a Telegram message, the Ukrainian president added that Italy was “on the right side” in the war.
“We are moving in the direction of victory,” he guaranteed.
Then Zelenskyj went to Palazzo Chigi, the seat of government, for his second meeting with Meloni, who was in Kiev last February and maintained Mario Draghi’s line of unconditional support for Ukraine.
During the meeting, the prime minister assured that Rome’s military support will continue until a “just peace” is reached, which can only exist when “Russia ceases hostilities”.
A meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican is also planned for Saturday afternoon. Zelensky is still expected to travel to Germany’s capital Berlin over the weekend, continuing his string of visits to Western allies. .
Source: Terra
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