President Volodymr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has landed in Rome for discussions with Italian officials and Pope Francis.
“Today in Rome. I’m meeting with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni and the Pope @Pontifex,” Zelenskyy tweeted. “An important visit for approaching victory of Ukraine!” he added.
Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani warmly welcomed Zelenskyy when he arrived at a military airfield at Rome’s Ciampino airport. Tajani informed reporters that Italy will continue to support Ukraine “360 degrees” and strive for a just peace, one that safeguards Ukraine’s independence.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni resolutely supports military and other aid for Ukraine.
The meeting with Sergio Mattarella, who is Head of State, at the presidential Quirinale Palace was Zelenskyy’s first official appointment in his visit.
The exact schedule for the Ukrainian President had not been publicly announced because of security concerns, and the Vatican only confirmed a papal meeting shortly before the Ukrainian President’s plane touched down.
A huge security operation has been launched, with over 1,000 police deployed and a no-fly zone over Rome. Police sharpshooters were strategically placed on high buildings.
Meloni met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, shortly before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
Pope Francis last met with the Ukrainian President in 2020. However, their meeting on Saturday will be their first since Russia invaded Ukraine. The pontiff makes frequent impassioned pleas on behalf of Ukraine’s “martyred” people, in his speeches.
Zelenskyy is believed to be heading to Berlin next.
Germany Announces $3 Billion Aid Package For Ukraine
In other developments, the German government announced on Saturday, May 13, 2023, that the country will provide Ukraine with additional military aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.
The announcement came as preparations were underway in Berlin for a possible first visit to Germany by Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia invaded his country last year.
Last week, Berlin police confirmed that they are preparing for a possible visit by Zelenskyy and have imposed a security cordon throughout much of the capital’s government district on Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Defense Minister of Germany, Boris Pistorius said that Berlin wants to show with the latest package of arms “that Germany is serious in its support” for Ukraine. “Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes,” he said.
While Zelenskyy’s visit on Sunday has yet to be officially confirmed, it would be a sign that relations between Ukraine and Germany have improved markedly after a rocky patch.
Although Germany was slow to provide military aid, it has since become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, crucially giving the green light for deliveries of modern battle tanks like its own Leopard 1 and 2, along with sophisticated anti-aircraft systems needed to counter drone and missile attacks.
The new military aid package, first reported by a German news website, consists of 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, more than 100 combat vehicles, 18 self-propelled Howitzers, 200 reconnaissance drones, four IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems and other air defense equipment.
It comes after Ukrainian military commanders disclosed that their troops recaptured more territory from Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut.
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