this was the moment he arrived at the prime minister s residence in rome, where he was greeted by italian president sergio mattarella. shortly after this, he met the italian prime minister, giorgia meloni. she s been one of ukraine s more vocal backers, although polls suggest that italian people overall are opposed to sending ukraine more weapons, as are some of her coalition partners. more now from the bbc s sofia bettiza in rome. more than 1000 security officers have been deployed in rome today. this is the first time the president zelensky visits italy since russia invaded ukraine last year. he has had a meeting with his counterpart, the italian president. they had a private meeting that lasted for about 25 minutes and some of the things that they discussed were economic sanctions against russia, the kidnapping of ukrainian children, the need to step up the fight against pro kremlin fake news and ukrainejoining the european union. after the meeting, president zelensky said
by italian president sergio mattarella. shortly after this he met the italian prime minister giorgia meloni, who said her country would back ukraine for as long as necessary. she called russia s invastion brutal and unjust. let s cross to the newsroom now and talk to our europe regional editor paul moss. very busy day for president and clearly some significant political strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in - strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in italy - strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in italy and in many ways this was very much a loving of a visit when giorgia meloni saw this zelensky, they probably embraced each other and as you suggested, she was fulsome in her support and said italy would be a solid ally of ukraine, crucia
president, volodymyr zelensky. speaking in rome, ms meloni said her country would back ukraine for as long as was necessary, calling russia s invastion brutal and unjust. later on, president zelensky will meet the pope in the vatican, before visiting germany. let s cross to the newsroom now and talk to our europe regional editor correspondent paul moss. hi, paul. president zelensky is initially and what is he trying to achieve there? initially and what is he trying to achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european countries - achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european countries this - achieve there? he s done a tour of| lots of european countries this year to try and shore up support from politicians and the public. he needs their political support and also very keen to keep that aid flowing which is so necessary for ukraine s resistance of russia s invasion. italy is a special case and we have heard from
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