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Important visit for victory

Important visit for victory

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski arrived in Rome today to meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in what he called an “important visit” for his country’s “victory” in the war against Russia.

“Rome. Meetings with the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis. An important visit to bring us closer to the victory of Ukraine,” Zelenski said upon arriving at the Ciampino airport in the Italian capital.

According to Vatican sources, Zelenski will see the Pope in the afternoon in a room in the Paul VI Hall, in a context of confidential negotiations by the Holy See to achieve a rapprochement between Ukraine and Russia, and after the public announcement by the pontiff that the Vatican will mediate to obtain the restitution of thousands of children that Kiev denounces were taken by force from the country.

Since the start of the war, the Pope and the president have spoken by phone at least twice, according to what Francis revealed in dialogue with journalists. Zelensky already visited the Pope in 2020.

For the moment, however, Francis has not spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he has shown his willingness to contact the president and hinted at the Moscow leader’s rejection of a meeting. This Thursday, Francis received the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Alexander Avdeev, for the traditional farewell visit.

Weeks ago, Francis received Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in the first high-level bilateral between the two countries since the start of the Russian invasion.

For the moment, Francis has not been to Kiev since the start of the war as he seeks to make a joint visit to Moscow, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Ukrainian capital in February.

In addition to his first face-to-face with the Pope since the start of the war, Zelenski’s arrival in Rome is also aimed at meetings with President Sergio Mattarella and Meloni. Two weeks ago, the premier also received Shmyhal to launch a forum with which he seeks to involve Italian companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.

Source: Ambito

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