While the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, Ukrainian President Zelensky’s search for a diplomatic solution continues. President of Ukraine Zelensky visited Italy for the first time since the Russia-Ukraine war to hold official talks. Zelenskiy, who was welcomed with an official ceremony in the presidential palace, Quirinale, accompanied by more than a thousand law enforcement officers under intense security measures, first met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. During the meeting, Italian President Mattarella said, “It is an honor to host you here. “Italy stands by Ukraine in the short and long term military, economic, humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Ukraine,” he said.
After meeting with President Mattarella, Zelenskiy met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Evaluating Russia’s attacks as “brutal and unjust”, Meloni said, “We fully support Ukraine and we call on Russia to withdraw immediately.” In his speech, Prime Minister Meloni also expressed Italy’s support for Ukraine’s membership to the European Union, emphasizing that Ukraine’s partnership with NATO should be intensified. Speaking at the press conference with Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Zelenskiy said: “I invite all Italian political leaders and civil society representatives to visit Ukraine, you will understand what a single person can do to us, what Putin can do and why we are fighting this evil.”
‘VATICAN READY TO MEDIATE’
The war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed in this meeting of Zelenskiy, who went to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics, after meeting with the Italian leaders. Stating that the Vatican is ready to mediate in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis said, “The Vatican is working on a peace plan to end the war.
Speaking on Twitter about his meeting with Pope Francis, Zelenskiy said: “I am grateful for Pope Francis’ personal attention to the tragedy suffered by millions of Ukrainians. I mentioned the tens of thousands of children who had to leave the country. We must make every effort to return them home. “I wanted to condemn the crimes. Because there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor. I offered to join this practice by talking about our ‘Peace Formula’, which is the only effective algorithm to achieve a just peace.”
Zelenskiy last met with Pope Francis in the Vatican in 2020, and the two had made several phone calls since the beginning of the war with Russia and Ukraine. (UAV)