Trip abroad: President Selenskyj in Rome – Italy assures help

During a visit to Rome, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for further support for the defense against the Russian war of aggression. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised the guest from Kiev help “as long as it is necessary and beyond,” as she said after a working lunch. Selenskyj had previously met President Sergio Mattarella.

This was followed by an audience with Pope Francis. After landing on Twitter, Zelenskyy spoke of an “important visit in order to achieve victory for Ukraine”.

Mattarella expressed his country’s solidarity to Zelenskyy. Italy is “fully on the side” of Ukraine, which has been fighting off a Russian invasion for a good 14 months. “It’s an honor to have you here in Rome,” Mattarella said.

Meloni calls Zelenskyj “my friend”

Afterwards we went to the official residence of the Prime Minister. Meloni warmly greeted Zelenskyj, whom she called “my friend”, in the courtyard of the Palazzo Chigi. She assured Ukraine of further support – and meant by that also weapons and ammunition. These are necessary for peace.

Kiev must have a strong position in negotiations, “because peace cannot follow capitulation. That would be a dangerous peace for Europe.” Meloni campaigned for Ukraine’s admission to the EU because the country was also fighting for the rest of Europe – “for all of us,” as she said.

Zelenskyy thanked Italy for the help, both bilaterally and as part of the international community. His country wants peace and has proposed a plan. “But Russia responded with missiles. Russia has no interest in peace.” Russia abducted 200,000 children from Ukrainian areas, he said. He invited politicians from Italy to visit Ukraine to see for themselves what Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is doing with his war of aggression.

Selenskyj travels from Italy to Germany, as government circles in Berlin confirmed to the dpa. It was initially unclear whether Selenskyj would arrive on Saturday evening or only on Sunday. The exact visit program has not yet been announced.

Highest level of security in Rome

Zelenskyj was brought to Rome by an Italian government plane from the south-eastern Polish airport in Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border on Saturday. When landing at Rome Ciampino Airport, Italian fighter jets were also in the air, as could be seen on the pictures. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani received Selenskyj at the airport. Selenskyj is in Italy for the first time since the Russian attack on his country.

Rome took extraordinary security measures for the guest. According to media reports, around 1,500 police officers and security forces were deployed. Airports, train stations and the subway were specially controlled. A no-fly zone was set up over the city, including for drones, and snipers were positioned.

Ukrainians living in Italy gathered in the well-known Piazza Barberini in the center of Rome. Despite the rain, they sang the Ukrainian national anthem together. “We want to tell the president that we are with him,” the head of the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy, Oles Horodetskyy, said on television.