In kyiv, Giorgia Meloni disavows Silvio Berlusconi on the Ukrainian conflict
Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, February 21, 2023. © Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters
Text by: RFI Follow
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After a stopover in Poland, the head of government and leader of Fratelli d'Italia, went for the first time to visit Kiev.
She reiterated Italy's firm commitment to supporting Ukraine, independently of its ally, Silvio Berlusconi.
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Giorgia Meloni was moved to tears as she visited the martyr city of Boutcha on Tuesday.
She met the Ukrainian president in kyiv primarily to reassure him of his government's support.
"
I wanted
[to come to Kyiv]
to reiterate Italy's full support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and to reaffirm that Italy has no intention of weakening
," Giorgia said. Meloni.
kyiv, dichiarazioni congiunte alla stampa con il Presidente @ZelenskyyUa https://t.co/UzIbUUlKkd
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) February 21, 2023
An arduous exercise ten days after yet another pro-Putin statement by his ally Silvio Berlusconi.
In the midst of regional elections, the boss of Forza Italia accused Volodymyr Zelensky of having attacked the Donbass, recalls our correspondent in Rome,
Anne Le Nir
.
Questioned by the Italian press, Ukrainian President Zelensky commented on
Berlusconi's
remarks in these terms: “
His house was never bombed daily, I suppose.
And thank God, his Russian partner did not enter his garden with a tank, did not destroy his family and friends
”.
► Also to listen: Witnesses to the news - A year of war in Ukraine with the RFI journalists who came to this podcast
Italian military aid
"
For me, it's the facts that count,"
retorted the head of the Italian government
.
All the political forces that support the government coalition have voted for all the measures for the defense of Ukraine and I am sure that they will continue to do so
”.
Giorgia Meloni insisted on the need to supply weapons to Kiev, she spoke in particular of fruitful collaboration with France to deliver an anti-aircraft defense system (SAMPT - Mamba) in the spring of 2023. Regarding the dispatch of planes, c It is "
a decision to be taken with international partners
", according to the head of the Italian government.
She concludes that “
European interests coincide with those of Ukraine
”.
► To read also: Italy strengthens ties with Algeria to depend less on Russian gas
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Ukraine
Italy
Giorgia Meloni
Volodymyr Zelensky