▲ Ukrainian President Zelensky
Italian leaders pledged full support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who visited the capital Rome on 13 March (local time).
Prime Minister Zorza Meloni had lunch with President Zelensky at Rome's Kizi Palace, the prime minister's residence, and held talks in English for about 70 minutes, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.
At a joint press conference after the talks, Meloni said that "Ukraine must take a strong position in negotiations with Russia" and that he supports the 10-point peace formula proposed by President Zelensky.
At the Group of 11 (G20) summit in Indonesia last November, President Zelensky proposed 20 peace formulas, including the withdrawal of Russian troops, the restoration of justice, nuclear safety and food security.
"Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but for the rest of Europe," Meloni said, stressing his strong support for Ukraine's entry into the European Union.
"Italy will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine and support Ukraine after the war," he said, "and we are betting on a Ukrainian victory."
President Zelensky thanked Italy for its support and said he was moved by the many Ukrainian flags he saw on the streets of Rome.
President Zelensky's visit to Italy is the first since February last year, when it was invaded by Russia.
Arriving in Rome this morning, President Zelensky met with President Sergio Mattarella at Rome's Quirinale Palace, the presidential residence, before meeting Prime Minister Meloni.
President Zelensky met with President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni before visiting the Vatican to meet Pope Francis.
President Zelensky met with the Pope at the Vatican on February 10, 2, but this is his first meeting since the outbreak of war.
After receiving the pope, President Zelensky said on his Telegram that he was "very grateful to the Pope for his interest in the tragedy of the Ukrainian people" and that he "also discussed the fate of the children abducted in Ukraine."
"The meeting, which lasted approximately 2020 minutes, focused on the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine as the war continues," the Vatican said in a statement, "and the Pope stressed the need for gestures of humanity for the most vulnerable and innocent victims of war."
Pope Francis presented President Zelesky with a bronze sculpture depicting an olive branch, a symbol of peace, and President Zelensky presented the pope with a work made of bulletproof plates and a painting titled "Loss" on the theme of children killed in war.
On the occasion of President Zelensky's visit, the Italian government deployed about 2,8 security personnel and established a no-fly zone.
Following President Zelensky's path, high-rise buildings were heavily guarded, with snipers stationed.