Draghi confirms that Italy will continue to send military aid to Ukraine to respond to the “arrogance” of the Russian government
Volódimir Zelenski has demonstrated again this Tuesday why Ukraine’s resistance against the Russian invasion has found a point of strength in his particular communication skills. In a new connection by videoconference with the Parliament of another country, with which he tries to maintain international support, the Ukrainian president dedicated this Tuesday an 11-minute fiery speech to the deputies and senators of Italy, in addition to the members of his Government , led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
After receiving a standing applause from the members of the hemicycle in Rome, Zelensky spoke harshly about the situation in Ukraine: «The dead are buried in mass graves. The Russian invasion is destroying our country, but our people have responded and become an Army.” He then passed the Ukrainian leader to update the number of children killed in the war (117) and to compare Genoa with Mariupol, the city of the Sea of Azov symbol of the barbarism of the invasion. The two port cities have a similar population: around half a million inhabitants. «Imagine a completely burned Genoa after three weeks of siege. Imagine a Genoa from which people have to escape,” said Zelensky, for whom the war is the fault “of one person,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a skilful alternation between comparisons and shared responsibilities, he later recalled that the invasion of his land is possible thanks to Russian “money from gas and oil exports”, which has one of its great markets in Italy, until now. point that the country covered 43% of its gas needs last year with purchases from Russia. Faced with the “destruction of our values” that Moscow represents for kyiv, Ukraine presents itself as “the fence” that stops the Russian Army. “They want to enter Europe, but barbarism must not enter.”
For Italy it is decisive to impose “more sanctions and pressure” on Russia and not welcome the oligarchs of that country “on vacation”, Zelensky requested. He has his own interest in it, since the consequences of the war “are felt in various parts of the world.” The looming food crisis due to difficulties for Ukraine to maintain its grain exports could destabilize many low-income countries in Africa and the Middle East, as the UN has already warned. “This also involves your neighbors across the sea,” said the Ukrainian president, referring to the new migratory waves that could occur in the Central Mediterranean.
At the end of the session, Draghi took the floor to celebrate the “dignity” and “heroicity” of Ukraine’s resistance against the “arrogance” of the Russian government. He guaranteed that both aid, including military aid, and the reception of refugees will continue and assured that Italy “is prepared to do more.” He also showed his country’s support for Ukraine’s entry into the European Union, although making it clear that it is a “long journey”.
The invitation to Zelensky to offer a speech in Parliament did not please all the deputies and senators. After a group of former parliamentarians from the 5 Star Movement (M5E) threatened not to participate in the session by holding pro-Russian positions, a senator from that formation went further by requesting the departure of the M5E from the Government. “The time has come to withdraw the ministers and undersecretaries of this Executive that has decided to send weapons to Ukraine, making Italy a co-belligerent country,” cried Vito Petrocelli, president of the Senate Foreign Commission.
New telephone conversation with the Pope
Before his speech in the Italian Parliament, the Ukrainian president, Volódimir Zelenski, had a telephone conversation with Pope Francis, who had already called him two days before the Russian invasion began. In this new dialogue, both dealt with “the difficult humanitarian situation and the blockade of humanitarian corridors by Russian troops”, according to the Ukrainian leader, who would be grateful if the Holy See could play a mediation role in the conflict that would allow “end suffering” He also thanked Zelensky the Pope for “his prayers for Ukraine and peace” and took the opportunity to invite him to travel to the country, as the mayor of kyiv had done before. This visit is considered impossible at the moment in the Vatican.
Topics
Volodimir Zelenski, Mario Draghi, Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin, Europe, Italy, kyiv, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, War in Ukraine
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