Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Italy for the first time since the Russian attack on his country in February 2022. Rome took extraordinary security measures for the guest.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Italy for a visit. The politician landed at Rome Ciampino Airport on Saturday morning. There he was received by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who confirmed on Twitter and provided a photo of himself and Zelenskyj. The Ukrainian President then drove to the city center in a large convoy of cars.
Meetings with President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis are also scheduled there during the day, as Selenskyj himself tweeted. He wrote of an “important visit to achieve victory for Ukraine”. It was initially unclear on Saturday whether Selenskyj would travel on from Italy to Germany.
Zelenskyj had been flown to Rome by an Italian government plane from the south-eastern Polish airport in Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border. When landing in Ciampino, Italian fighter jets were also in the air, as could be seen on the pictures.
It is Zelenskyy’s first visit to Italy since the Russian attack on his country in February 2022. Rome took extraordinary security measures for the guest. According to media reports, around 1,500 police officers and security guards are on duty to ensure that the state visit runs smoothly. Airports, train stations and the subway are therefore particularly controlled. A no-fly zone has also been set up over the city for drones. Snipers are positioned wherever Zelenskyy is expected.
The Ukrainian President is likely to seek further support for the war against Russia and the announced counter-offensive in Italy. Tajani wrote: “We renew our commitment to the Ukrainian people to defend freedom and democracy.”
Source: Stern
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