Ukraine’s Zelenskyy arrives in Rome

The Ukrainian president made the announcement on his Telegram channel at 11:24 a.m. Kyiv time.

"Rome. Meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Francis," Zelenskyy said in a statement.

"An important visit for the victory of Ukraine," he added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently in Rome.

He was met at Rome's Ciampino airport by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

"Italy welcomes President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We reaffirm our commitment to the Ukrainian people in the defense of freedom and democracy," Tajani tweeted at 11:38 a.m., attaching a photo of Zelenskyy's arrival.

Next, Zelenskyy met with the Italian president.

"In Rome, I met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. I am grateful for his consistent position in support of Ukraine. We appreciate the important military assistance that gives our country the ability to withstand Russian aggression. The key to our success on the battlefield is the timely receipt of the necessary assistance," Zelenskyy said.

According to the head of his office, Andriy Yermak, the talks also touched upon the "abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia."

After the meeting with Mattarella, Zelenskyy and his team began negotiations with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rai News reports.

The Pope, in turn, with whom Zelenskyy will meet after Meloni, posted the following tweet before the start of talks with the Ukrainian president:

"Mother of Jesus and ours, help us to build paths of encounter and dialogue towards peace and give us the courage to follow them without delay."

The last time President Zelenskyy and Pope Francis met was in February 2020. During a visit to Rome, the Ukrainian president asked the pontiff to help free the prisoners of war and invited him to visit Ukraine.

Pope Francis has never been to Ukraine before. After February 24, 2022, he says that he should visit Ukraine at the same time as his visit to Russia, but the Russian side opposes this.

• Before, Pope Francis announced his participation in a secret peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to end the war and to return Ukrainian children deported by Russians.

• On Sunday, May 14, Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Germany. He will also hold talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and give a press conference.