2023-05-14 06:02:00
The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, squeezed the hand of Pope Francis on Saturday during a visit to the Vatican, during which he evoked “the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians” who have been hit by the bloody invasion that he launched more than a year ago. Russia on its territory.
And he did it before moving to Germany, a country that announced a military aid package for kyiv, in full preparation of a counteroffensive to recover occupied territories ordered by Vladimir Putin.
“I am grateful for your personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians,” Zelensky wrote on social media after meeting for 40 minutes with the 86-year-old Argentine pontiff.
Zelenski specified that among the issues discussed was the fate of “tens of thousands of children deported” from the areas of his country occupied by Russian troops, according to accusations investigated by international justice.
He added that he also evoked the ten-point “peace plan” supported by kyiv for several months, which Moscow has rejected on several occasions.
The Vatican indicated that during the audience both leaders referred to the “humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine” since the start of the Russian invasion, in February 2022, and that they agreed to “continue efforts to support the population.”
Zelenski previously held meetings in Rome with the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, and with the head of government, Giorgia Meloni, in the midst of a strong security device. The reason is that this is his first visit to Italy – a member country of the European Union (EU) and NATO – since the start of the war.
Zelenski also continues his tour of Europe this Sunday upon arriving in Germany, where he will receive military aid to begin a counteroffensive against the Russian invader.
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