Zelensky to the Italian Parliament: “Mariupol like Genoa, imagine it destroyed”

Volodymyr Zelensky appeals to Italy and pays homage to it. Compared to the speeches made in other parliaments, at Montecitorio, the Ukrainian president limited the historical references, but recalled the Italian cities, putting them in parallel with the Ukrainian ones, and the spirit of solidarity of our country. Zelensky’s first words, connected from Kiev, are for the phone call he had with Pope Francisthen talks about the tragic situation in Ukraine after almost a month of war.

“I understand that you want peace, but the Russian invasion is destroying our country, our people became an army when they saw how much devastation the enemy brings,” said the Ukrainian president after a standing ovation from deputies and senators. Zelensky talks about destroyed families, those who no longer have a home and children. There are 117 who have lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict.

“Mariupol is as big as yours Genoa, where I have been: imagine Genoa completely destroyed. Only ruins remained. Everything must be done to stop this war, organized by a single person, ”he said, attacking Putin. In addition to Genoa he mentions Rome and says that Kiev should have peace as the Italian capital.

«The goal is not Ukraine, but Europe, to have control of your politics, of your values. Ukraine is just the gate for the Russian army to enter Europe, ”he adds. “You have shared our pain with us. Your strength must stop only one person for millions to survive“.

Italy is thanked for the help offered: «You are welcoming over 70,000 refugees, many are children, the first child who escaped the war was born in Italy. You have shared our pain ». The request is to do more, new sanctions, other pressures so that Russia does not seek other military forces, but peace. The target of the attack is always Putin, “all this started with a person who uses gas and oil money for the war not only against Ukraine, but throughout Europe”.