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Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni visited Kiev, reiterated her support for Ukraine, calling Putin’s speech “propaganda”

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Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, who announced a possible Russian offensive in the coming days, met in the capital Kiev with the head of the Italian government Giorgia Meloni, who arrived this morning by train from Poland after speaking by telephone with US President Joe Biden. I assure the Ukrainians that “Italy will fight for its freedom”.

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Meloni dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech in Moscow as “propaganda”, accusing the West of “starting the war”.

In a meeting with the press after the meeting with Zelenski in the presidential palace in Kiev, Meloni reiterated that Western countries have tried to avoid conflict with diplomacy. “The truth is that on the other side is an invader and on this side someone trying to defend themselves”.

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The head of the Italian government also replied to Putin who in his speech this morning defined the Ukrainian government as a “regime contrary to the interests of the people”. “What I see here is a people who are fighting.”

“What I see here is a people who are fighting,” Meloni said.  Photo EFE

“What I see here is a people who are fighting,” Meloni said. Photo EFE

Full support

When asked about the version published in Rome according to which Italy will offer five Tornado and Amex fighters to Russia, which is asking for fighter planes and the necessary training from the allies, Meloni said that “the question is not on the table because It’s not an immediate problem.”.

In Zelensky’s meeting a few days ago in London with the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said that in the new phase of the war with new weapons, Ukraine is in dire need of air power. The British replied yes, but that the complexity of aircraft training and deliveries made it necessary to complete the orders within about six months.

Zelensky thanked Italy for “full support”. Meloni replied that “without Ukraine, nothing should be decided, and we must all agree on this”.

Meloni compared the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Russian invader to the Italian Risorgimento. “The heroic reaction of a people willing to do anything to defend their freedom, sovereignty and identity reminds me of the birth of the Italian state. There are those who said that Italy was a geographical expression, “But Italy has demonstrated with the Risorgimento that it is a nation”.

“With its ability to fight, the people have shown that Ukraine is an extraordinary nation,” said the Italian premier.

The Ukrainian president thanked for the arms shipments from Italy, which are secret but which in Italy are already estimated to exceed one billion euros. Meloni said that in particular anti-aircraft systems, ammunition and missiles were sent.

Zielinski is aware of the polls released in recent days in Italy which show an already majority growth of opponents of arms shipments to his country, which exceeds 52% in the case of Euromedia and 55% of the SWG Institute.

The greeting between Meloni and Zelenski.  Photo Bloomberg

The greeting between Meloni and Zelenski. Photo Bloomberg

On the recent shipment of German Leopard tanks to Ukraine, in Italy the “no” exceeds 50%, while 40% proclaims themselves in favor because “We must defend the attacked”. In Germany itself, 60% spoke out against the decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev, fearing a reaction from Russia with nuclear weapons.

In Italy

The data coming from the political forces indicate a “yes” in favor of sending arms to Ukraine by 61% of the voters of the center-left Democratic Party in opposition, while the Brothers of Italy, whose leader is Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is pronounced with a “no” of 54%.

The two partners of the Meloni right-wing government present conflicting data. Its leaders are known to have a long history of pro-Russian president. Matteo Salvini’s League registers 71% against sending arms to Ukraine, while Forza Italia, a liberal conservative, says “yes” to aid with 56%.

But Forza Italia’s founder and perennial leader, four-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, he does not stop speaking in favor of his friend Vladimir Putin and against the Ukrainian premier.

In his latest outing, Berlusconi fired at point blank range. He said that if it was him he would not have gone to Kiev interview “that gentleman” (he never mentions Zelenskyj). The local press reports that it was “a bomb dropped in friendly territory, within the right-wing coalition”.

The Berlusconi scandal took a while to subside. Italy has always attacked Putin for the occupation of Crimea and the creation of republics incorporated into the Russian Federation in the eastern territory bordering Russia.

Aware of Berlusconi’s attack, Zelenski said he was not upset and would send him “a box of bottles of vodka” Gift.

At the press conference, the Ukrainian president commented: “I don’t think Berlusconi’s house has ever been bombed by missiles, nor that tanks have ever reached him and that no one has killed his relatives”.

Zelenskyj concluded the meeting with a “wishing of peace to Italian families, even to those who don’t support us. Ukraine is a great tragedy that must be understood.”

Source: Clarin

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