“May the Pope condemn Russian crimes. Let the peace plan be Ukrainian»- Corriere.it

The yellow-blue flag of Ukraine flies on the Quirinal Tower, next to the Italian one, the European one and the standard of the President of the Republic. Volodymyr Zelensky’s first visit to Italy since the beginning of the Russian invasion and the head of state, Sergio Mattarellawelcomes the man from Kiev to the Colle with a warm handshake: Welcome President, an honor to have you here. We are fully at your side. May peace in Ukraine be real and not a surrender.

Zelensky thanks him with words that he will repeat several times during the day: Thanks to you and thanks to the Italians for the continued support offered at all levels, now I would like to hug them one by oneItaly on the right side in this conflict.

Italy with Ukraine. And since yesterday, if possible, even more. a gloomy and heavily armored Roman Saturday, an armed escort of at least 30 cars accompanies Zelensky from Ciampino to the city center for a meeting with Mattarella, lunch with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a visit to the Vatican by Pope Francis and finally the special Door to doorbetween the columns of the Vittoriano, with Bruno Vespa on live TV: I’ll wear the tie you gave me, Bruno, on the day of our victory, the counter-offensive is now near, Zelensky promises him, who throughout the day sported his usual military suit, camouflage and black sweatshirt with the Ukrainian trident symbol on his chest.

The president of Kiev got off the Ciampino runway shortly after 10 from an Italian military plane that went to pick him up, in great secrecy, in Poland. To receive him, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani: Peace cannot be separated from the independence of Ukraine.

Flags and banners

On the way to the Quirinale Zelensky appreciates the many yellow and blue flags along the way: they are the Ukrainians of Rome who welcome him, in Piazza Barberini they sing Bella Ciao and Viburno rosso. There are, however, also banners of isolated protesters:Zelensky you are not welcomereads the poster displayed by some militants of the Communist Youth Front (FGC) at the Colosseum.

At the Quirinale, during the performance of your country’s anthem, you place your right hand over your heart. The private interview with Mattarella in the Sala degli Arazzi lasts approx 45 minutesthen the Ukrainian president leaves Colle for Palazzo Chigi where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is waiting for him.

Seventy minutes

I am happy that Zelensky, a friend, is here, begins the Prime Minister, who in February – one year after the start of the war – had been with him in Kiev. Seventy minutes face to face. We we bet on the victory of Ukraine – says Meloni at the end -. The future of Ukraine is a future of peace and freedom. The premier then reiterates the 360 degree firm support also to facilitate progressive accession to the European Union as well as entry into NATO. The prime minister also insists on military support for Ukraine. AND Zelensky, who calls her Giorgia, confirms that we have discussed this with the Italian delegation. With the defense of our skies thanks to the anti-aircraft systems of Italy and France – she adds – we have had fewer victims. On the eve there was much talk of the absence of the deputy prime minister Matthew Salvini at the talks in Palazzo Chigi, but Zelensky himself during Porta a Porta stops any controversy: It’s not true that I didn’t want to meet him, I would gladly meet him. So comes one as well note from the League: The Ukrainian president put an end to the lies and insinuations of the left. Salvini did not meet Zelensky only because it was not included in the official program. But in harmony with President Meloni, with the head of state Mattarella and appreciated the olive branch which the Holy Father gave to the Ukrainian leader.

The twig

Yes, the Pope’s olive branch: in theirs encounter of the afternoon in the Vatican, lasted 40 minutes, Francis hands the Ukrainian president a sculpture depicting olive branches, a symbol of peace. While Zelensky, on the day of Fatima, offers to the pontiff an icon of the Madonna made for with the remains of some bulletproof vests. The locations remain distant. The Pope underlines the urgent need for gestures of humanity towards the most fragile people, innocent victims. Zelensky, who talks about 200,000 children deported to Russiafinally thanks him: It was an honor for me to meet His Holiness.

But later, first up Telegram and then guest of Bruno Vespa, trenchant: I asked the Pope to condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine. Because there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor. With all due respect to His Holiness, we don’t need mediators between Ukraine and its aggressor, we need a just peace. And we invite the Pope, like other leaders, to work for a just peace. Thus he closes the road to dialogue with Putin: You cannot mediate with Putin, no country in the world can do that. The Pope knows my position, the war in Ukraine and the peace plan must be Ukrainian. It looks like a stop at the Vatican mission. The Roman day ends with the joint declaration of the Italian and Ukrainian delegations: Russia withdraws immediately. And in the evening Zelensky sets off again, towards Berlin

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