UpdateUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Vatican City on Saturday afternoon for an audience with Pope Francis, AFP reports. The 86-year-old pope stressed during the visit of Zelenksy and several advisers that the war brings “unspeakable suffering and death”. Tomorrow Zelensky will travel on to Germany, which he will visit for the first time since the war with Russia broke out.
Zelensky also met in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said he was “assuming a Ukrainian victory after Russia’s brutal and unfair aggression.” She also promised that Italy will “provide Kiev with support and weapons for as long as necessary.”
Francis, who is eager for peace, last met the Ukrainian leader in 2020. The pope regularly makes impassioned pleas on behalf of the, in his words, “martyred” people of Ukraine. In late April, while 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 he gave no further details.
According to Italian state television, very strict security measures are in place during the Ukrainian visit to Rome. Among other things, a flight ban was declared in the airspace above the Italian capital and police snipers are strategically placed on high buildings in the city.
Prestigious Charlemagne Prize
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Germany on Sunday for the first time since Russia’s war of aggression in his country. The German press agency dpa has heard this from government circles.
It is not yet clear whether Zelensky will be there on Saturday evening or only on Sunday. In any case, he will receive the prestigious Karelsprijs on Sunday. This prize is awarded annually to someone who, following the example of Charlemagne, ‘father of Europe’, is committed to European unity.
The prize will be awarded in the city of Aachen, but it is not certain whether Zelensky will receive it in person. “For the first time in its long history, the Charlemagne Prize recognizes with this award that freedom and the founding principles of Europe must be defended by force if necessary,” said Jürgen Linden, head of the committee that organizes the prize, earlier in the German daily Tagesspiegel. .
Scholz
The program of the visit to Germany is not yet officially known, but according to the media, the Ukrainian would meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
On Saturday, Berlin announced 2.7 billion euros in arms aid for Ukraine.
LOOK. President Zelensky arrives for a visit to Rome
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