Zelenskyy arrives in Rome for talks with Pope Francis, Italy’s PM and president

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on Friday 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 tweeted at 4:24 a.m. ET about the visit, mentioning Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as the Pope.

When Zelenskyy arrived at the military airfield at Rome’s Ciampino airport, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was on hand to greet him. Tajani told reporters that Italy will continue to support Ukraine “360 degrees” and press for a just peace, which preserves Ukraine’s independence.

Meloni firmly supports military and other aid to Ukraine. But when his Brothers of Italy party fought hard for the principle of national sovereignty, Meloni had to contend with the leaders of his two coalition partners who had been outspoken.
claimed for years of admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Coalition ally Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister, has boasted of his friendship with Putin, while other government allies,
League leader Matteo Salvini, has questioned the value of economic sanctions against Russia.

Mattarella’s meeting with head of state at the president’s Quirinale Palace is the first official appointment of what is expected to be a visit to the Italian capital that will last several hours.

Zelenskyy is believed to be heading to Berlin next.

The exact schedule has not been made public due to security concerns, and the Vatican only confirmed the papal meeting shortly before the Ukrainian president’s plane touched down.

Italian state radio reported that as part of the protective measure, a no-fly zone was ordered for Rome’s skies and police snipers were strategically placed on high-rise buildings.

Francis wants peace

Meloni met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv shortly before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

Francis last met with the Ukrainian leader in 2020.

The Pope often makes pleas for the Ukrainian “martyrs”, so to speak.

In late 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-scenes peacekeeping mission but gave no details. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed the initiative.

The German government has said it is giving Ukraine more than 2.7 billion euros ($3.97 billion Cdn) in additional military aid, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.

The announcement comes as preparations are underway in Berlin for Zelenskyy’s first visit to Germany since Russia invaded his country last year.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin wanted to show with the latest weapons package “that Germany is serious about its support” for Ukraine.

“Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it is needed,” he said.