The Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the First Official Visit to the Embassy of Ukraine, and the Possible Visit to Kyiv, the Landau-Kyiv Pilgrim
The meeting with Mattarella, who is head of state, at the presidential Quirinale Palace was the first official appointment of what is expected to be a visit to the Italian capital lasting several hours.
But while her far-right Brothers of Italy party fiercely champions the principle of national sovereignty, Meloni has had to contend with leaders of two coalition partners who have openly professed for years their admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Coalition ally Silvio Berlusconi, a former premier, has boasted of his friendship with Putin, while another government ally, League leader Matteo Salvini, has questioned the value of economic sanctions against Russia.
When Zelenskyy arrived at a military airfield at Rome’s Ciampino airport, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was on hand to greet him. Tajani said that Italy would continue to support Ukraine and that it would press for a just peace that safeguards Ukraine’s independence.
While German leaders have expressed their support for Ukraine, Germans are divided on whether the country should provide advanced fighter jets, which the country’s allies are asking for.
The announcement Saturday came as preparations were underway in Berlin for a possible first visit to Germany by Zelenskyy since Russia invaded his country last year.
Francis told reporters on the plane that the Vatican was involved in a peace mission, but he gave no details. Russia and Ukraine did not confirm the 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.
The Zelensky-Scholz-Pistorius peace mission: defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion and receiving the international Charlemagne prize
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.
Zelenskyy’s 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.
Since then, both Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have visited Ukraine, assuring Zelenskyy of their support for his country’s fight against the Russian invasion. The new arms package was announced by the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Zelenskyy is expected to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine in a ceremony in the western city of Aachen after he and Scholz meet.
The award recognizes that the resistance to Russia’s invasion is not just of the nation’s sovereignty and life of citizens but also of European values, according to organizers.
Zelenskyy joked that he was working to make Germany the biggest donor after thanking him for the country’s political, financial and military support.
In order to repel the Russian invasion and to rebuild what was destroyed in the conflict, the Ukrainian president is visiting his allies in order to get more arms.
“We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally definied legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally,” Zelenskyy said.
“We have neither the time nor the strength (to attack Russia),” he said, according to an official interpreter. “And we also don’t have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.”
End of the War: How Russia might be the bargaining chip in a possible peace negotiation with Russia, for Ukraine’s security and security
There is speculation that Russia might be used as a bargaining chip in any peace negotiations that would end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.