Ukraine: expected in Italy, Volodymyr Zelensky gathers support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on February 9, 2023 in Brussels. AP - Johanna Geron
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Diplomatic sources announce that President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Rome this Saturday, May 13. In Italy, he could meet two important personalities: the head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Francis.
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With our correspondent in Kiev, Emmanuelle Chaze
For security reasons, no details have yet emerged on the program of Volodymyr Zelensky's possible trip to Rome this Saturday. But if it does take place, two major meetings should punctuate the day. One with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom we will no doubt discuss arms and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
And a meeting with Pope Francis, who admitted during his visit to Hungary a few days ago that he was working on a secret mission for peace. Since February 2022, the pontiff has effectively wanted to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.
If this step is unlikely to succeed in Kiev as in Moscow, the Vatican also wants to convince Russia to repatriate Ukrainian children kidnapped in the occupied territories and deported to Russia. On Kiev's side, any support from Ukraine is welcome. And it is in this capacity that Volodymyr Zelensky continues his visits to Western chancelleries.
" READ ALSO – Ukraine: Pope Francis "begs" Vladimir Putin to stop the "spiral"
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Read on on the same topics:
- Ukraine
- Italy
- Vatican
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Giorgia Meloni
- Pape François
- Diplomacy
- Russia