Zelensky says children forcibly deported by Russia could be more than 200,000

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyassured today in Rome that Ukrainian children forcibly deported by Russia could be more than 200,000.

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During a joint appearance with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia MeloniZelensky explained that kyiv has identified, with their names and ages, more than 19,000 children but that “the real number” of those taken “forcibly taken to the territory of the aggressor” could be at least 200,000, “and we don’t know his fate”only that the Russian government “teaches them to hate” to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president met today during his visit to the Italian capital with Meloni and with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Matterella, after which he went to visit Pope Francis, in a long-awaited meeting at the Vatican.

Zelensky and Meloni appeared before the media after a long face-to-face meeting, lasting more than an hour, in which they were able to speak at length about the conflict and the unquestionable Italian support for kyiv and in which the good harmony between both leaders was made clear.

The president, who repeatedly thanked Italy for its support and in particular that of the Prime Minister, insisted on the unbeatable will of Ukraine to join the European Union (EU) and the NATO: “For us it is very important to be part of the EU”. he explained her, while assuring that kyiv “expects a lot” from the next summit of the Atlantic Alliance because “we fight as a country of the NATO”.

He was hopeful thatthis year” progress can be made in both fields, an aspect in which Meloni He showed his support and said that Italy was working on it with the EU and the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

About the war, Zelensky revealed that “only in 7 hours” “17 Iranian drones that they use to destroy our infrastructures” had been shot down, which shows that “Russia does not want peace, only death and destruction.”

“But I do not come to lament, but to thank you for everything you do for us”said the president, while Meloni He replied that the future of Ukraine is also the future of Europe: “The future of Ukraine it is for peace, freedom and European, there are no other possible solutions”.

The Prime Minister explained that Italy supports “a just peace”that “any peace agreement must be shared by the Italian people”, “it must not be a surrender” and added that “we must already think of a Ukraine free and rebuilt

Meloni also insisted on “Italy’s very clear position in favor of our allies” and assured Zelensky that italy continue to send the weapons and military material necessary to achieve a just peace, with a “360 degree support” to “guarantee their territorial integrity and independence.

Zelenskywho responds with this visit to the invitation to Italy from the Italian Prime Minister, who traveled to kyiv last February, he was previously received with military honors by the head of the Italian state, Sergio Matarellaand right now he is meeting with Pope Francis.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.