Pope Francis met with President Volodimir Zelensky, who asked him to condemn “Russian crimes in Ukraine”

President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned Saturday at the Vatican with the Pope Francisco “the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians”, before traveling to Germany, which announced a military aid package for Kiev, in preparation for a counter-offensive to regain Russian-held territories.

“I am grateful to him for his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians,” Zelensky wrote on social media after a 40-minute meeting with the 86-year-old Argentine pope.

Zelensky specified that one of the issues discussed was the fate of “tens of thousands of children who were deported” from Russian-held areas of his country, according to allegations investigated by international justice.

He added that he also called for the ten-point “peace plan” supported by Kiev for several months, which Moscow has rejected on several occasions.

The Vatican indicated this during the audience both leaders referred to the “humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine” since the beginning of the Russian intervention in February 2022 and that they agreed to “continue efforts to support the population”.

Zelensky previously met in Rome with the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, and with the head of government, Giorgia Meloniin the middle of a strong security device.

This is his first visit to Italy, a member state of the European Union (EU) and NATO, since the start of the war.

Military aid from Germany

Zelensky will continue his tour on Sunday in Germany, which announced a new 2.7 billion euro ($2.95 billion) military aid plan for Ukraine.

The package, according to Der Spiegel magazine the largest in Germany since the beginning of the war, will include 30 Leopard-1 A5 tanks, Marder armored vehicles, anti-aircraft systems and surveillance drones.

“We all want a quick end to this horrific Russian war against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately that is not in sight. Therefore, Germany will provide all possible assistance for as long as necessary,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.

Western countries have multiplied their announcements of military aid to Ukraine in recent days, angering Moscow.

Russia on Friday called Britain’s decision to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine “extremely hostile” and accused the British government of pursuing a “serious escalation” of the conflict.

European Union (EU) diplomacy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday urged other European countries to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.

“The Russians are bombing from afar, so the Ukrainians must (…) reach the same distance,” Borrell said after a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Stockholm.

In the ground, both Russia and Ukraine claimed claims in the Bakhmut region (east), where the longest and bloodiest battle of this war is being fought.