Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, seeking support for his peace plan.
Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Studio of Paul VI Hall on May 13, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for his peace plan from the pontiff, who in the past has offered to try to help end the war launched by Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
Last month, Ukraine's prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, asked the pope to help get the children returned from Russia to Ukraine. But the Vatican's written statement after Saturday's talks made no mention of the request for help for the children. "Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts" to help the population, the Holy See's statement added. "The pope underlined in particular the urgent need for 'humanitarian gestures' toward the most fragile persons, innocent victims of the conflict," the statement said.
Zelenskyy's 10-point plan would establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. It would also create a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restore Ukraine's damaged power infrastructure and ensure safety around Europe's largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni , flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaks during a joint press conference following their meeting at Chigi Palace government office in Rome, Italy, on May 13, 2023. Zelenskyy, who also met Italian President Sergio Mattarella, is a one-day trip in Rome, including an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.to champion Ukraine's EU ambitions, saying Ukraine was moving ahead with required reforms despite the war.
Since the war began, Italy has contributed about 1 billion euros in military and financial aid, as well as humanitarian assistance.
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