Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Today, he has arrived in the UK to meet PM Rishi Sunak.
Zelensky’s recent meetings with Western leaders bear significant symbolic weight, considering that Western European nations have been assisting Kyiv with vital armaments and ammunition ahead of Ukraine’s much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russia’s invasion, which began last year.
Private Talks with Pope Francis, Georgia Meloni
Zelensky met with Pope Francis privately in Vatican City on Saturday, later claiming he sought backing for Ukraine’s peace proposal from the pontiff, who had previously promised to assist in halting Russia’s full-fledged aggression.
The Ukrainian President thanked the Pope in a tweet after the 40-minute meeting for “his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians.” Zelensky also spoke with the Vicar of Christ “about the tens of thousands of deported (Ukrainian) children. We must make every effort to return them home.”
Additionally, Zelensky further said that he had requested Pope Francis to denounce Russian “crimes in Ukraine” as “there can be no equality between the victim and the aggressor.”
“I also mentioned [Ukraine’s] Peace Formula as the only effective algorithm for achieving just peace,” Zelensky added. Later, in an interview with Italian state television, the Ukrainian leader stated that the Pope “knows my position. The war is in Ukraine, that is why it has to be Ukraine’s plan” to bring peace.
Zelensky asked Pope Francis to “condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine, media pic.twitter.com/hY45WLtsTo
— Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 13, 2023
Earlier in the day, Zelensky received assurances from Italian officials of continued military and financial help and increased support for Ukraine’s long-held desire to join the EU.
After a nearly hour-long discussion with Zelensky, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni stated, “The message is clear and simple” and “The future of Ukraine is a future of peace and freedom. And it’s the future of Europe, a future of peace and freedom, for which there are no other possible solutions.”
Meloni, who is an ardent supporter of military aid to Ukraine, stated that Italy will stand with the nation “360 degrees for all the time necessary and beyond.”
Berlin Meeting
Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Ukraine during Zelensky’s first visit to Berlin since the outbreak of the Russian invasion in February of last year.
During a joint press conference on Sunday, Scholz said, “I have said it many times, and I repeat it here today: We will support you for as long as it is necessary.” He added that Germany stands with its allies “for Russia to be held to account for its misdeeds.”
The Ukrainian leader said that Berlin’s assistance during the conflict would always be appreciated. He added that Ukraine’s Western allies may render Russia’s defeat “irreversible” as early as this year.
Germany, the largest European economy, was criticised at the beginning of the conflict for what many saw as a reluctant response. Still, it has emerged as one of Ukraine’s major financial and military support sources. On Saturday, the German government announced a 2.7-billion-euro ($3 billion) military aid package to Ukraine, the largest deal since Russia’s invasion.
⚡ President Zelensky met with German Chancellor Scholz and President Steinmeier in Berlin on May 14.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 14, 2023
"German air defense systems, artillery, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives, bringing us closer to victory," said Zelensky.
Photo: President's Office pic.twitter.com/0a4G8zwyLN
Zelensky Arrives in Paris, Meets Macron
On the evening of 14 May, Zelensky said he would meet with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, affirming, “Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities grow with every visit.” The “most important questions of bilateral relations” will be discussed, according to Zelensky, who stated before the meeting that “Ukraine’s connection to Europe is only growing stronger” and that “pressure on Russia is increasing.”
Military assistance was a key agenda issue as Ukraine intends to launch an operation to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. Without providing particular figures, Macron’s administration stated that France will provide dozens of light tanks and armoured vehicles “in the weeks ahead.”
In a statement, France declared its “unwavering” support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, promising that its political, economic, humanitarian, and military assistance will continue “for as long as necessary.”
France promises Ukraine dozens more light tanks and armoured vehicles as Kyiv readies for a widely expected counter-offensive.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 15, 2023
President Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed boosting military aid on the Ukrainian president's trip to Parishttps://t.co/b7AHyehh8m pic.twitter.com/Tqe8LCMnIg
UK Visit
Zelensky is in the UK to meet with PM Rishi Sunak. Sunak stated at the meeting that both of them will be “discussing what more [the UK] can do to support” Zelensky and Ukraine.
On Thursday, the UK announced it would provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles it requested to counter the Russian invasion.
During a news briefing before the meeting, Zelensky commended the UK for assisting Ukraine since the invasion began. “We are thankful from all our hearts, from Ukrainians, from our soldiers, we are thankful.”
Sunak stated, “The front lines of Putin’s war of aggression may be in Ukraine but the fault lines stretch worldwide. It is in all our interest to ensure Ukraine succeeds and Putin’s barbarism is not rewarded.”