President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his official residence in Rome during the latter’s visit to the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky arrived in Rome on Saturday for talks with Italian officials and Pope Francis, who has said the Vatican has launched a behind-the-scenes initiative to try to end the war launched last year by Russia.
Zelensky was driven up to the Quirinal Palace shortly after 12.00 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Saturday, where Mattarella welcomed him in the courtyard.
After anthems of the two countries were played, the politicians went into the building for a private conversation.
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Mattarella has always shown solidarity with Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian invaders.
Zelensky is expected to ask Italy for further support and is believed to be heading to Berlin next.
His exact schedule hadn’t been publicly announced because of security concerns, and the Vatican only confirmed a papal meeting shortly before the Ukrainian president’s plane touched down.
Italian state radio reported that as part of protective measures, a no-fly zone was ordered for Rome skies and police sharpshooters were strategically placed on high buildings.
Meloni met with Zelensky in Kyiv, shortly before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Francis, who is eager for peace, last met with the Ukrainian leader in 2020.
The pontiff makes frequent impassioned pleas on behalf of Ukraine’s “martyred” people, in his words.
At the end of April, flying back to Rome from a trip to Hungary, Francis told reporters on the plane that the Vatican was involved in a behind-the-scene peace mission but gave no details.
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Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed such an initiative.
He has said he would like to go to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, if such a visit could be coupled with one to Moscow, if a papal pilgrimage could further the cause of peace.
Last month, Ukraine’s prime minister met with Francis at the Vatican and said he asked the pontiff to help Ukraine get back children illegally taken to Russia during the invasion.
The German government, meanwhile, said it was providing Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.
(NAN)
