"Italy has been and is on the side of truth": Zelenskyy and Mattarello discuss Ukraine's "peace formula"

On May 13, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella in Rome as part of his official visit to Italy. The two leaders discussed the Ukrainian formula for peace.

This was reported by the Office of the President. Thus, during the meeting, the Ukrainian leader thanked the Italian President for supporting our country since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation (to view photos and videos, scroll to the end).

The President of Ukraine expressed hope that Italy would continue to fully support our country. He also stressed the need to strengthen international pressure on the aggressor country, including the introduction of new sanctions.

"In this war, Italy has been and remains on the right side, on the side of truth. We are moving towards victory. Because victory is peace for our country. I am confident that the Italian society fully shares our attitude, our just struggle against Russia's unprovoked war," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Sergio Mattarella also expressed readiness to join the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula.

"I am counting on Italy's participation in the Global Peace Summit to be held this year," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President of Ukraine praised Italy's support for international efforts to bring Russia to justice for the crimes committed in Ukraine. He also thanked Italy for its support in the work of the International Criminal Court and participation in the steering group that is establishing a special tribunal to consider the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

It should be noted that this is Zelenskyy's first visit to Italy, an EU and NATO member, since Russia's large-scale invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited Kyiv in February to demonstrate her country's support for Ukraine.

Despite having fairly warm relations with Moscow, Italy has sent arms and money to help Kyiv and supported Western sanctions against Russia.

Last month, Meloni hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Rome for a conference on how Italian companies can help rebuild the war-torn country.

Pope Francis, who last hosted Zelenskyy in the Vatican in February 2020, has repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine and prays for the victims of the war almost every week during their joint audience.

During an audience at the Vatican during his visit to Rome, Shmyhal invited the 86-year-old pontiff to Ukraine and asked for his help in returning children forcibly taken to Russia. Shmyhal also said that they discussed Zelenskyy's peace plan and "different steps that the Vatican can take" to help Kyiv achieve its goal.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Zelenskyy arrived in Rome accompanied by Italian air force fighters. A video of the Italian fighter jets was posted by the press secretary of the President of Ukraine, Serhiy Nekiforov.

- April 30 The Pope tells reporters that the Vatican is allegedly involved in a secret peacekeeping mission to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

- According to a Ukrainian official, official Kyiv knows nothing about this peacekeeping mission involving the Vatican. And President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not agree to such measures.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!