Zelenskyy visits Rome to rally European support, resists US pressure for Russia compromise

(From left) Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pope Leo XIV wave to journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Tuesday. Pic/AP/PTI

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Rome on Tuesday as he continued to rally European support for Ukraine while resisting the US pressure for a painful compromise with Russia.

On Monday, Zelenskyy held talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to strengthen Ukraine's hand amid mounting impatience from US President Donald Trump. The Ukrainian president arrived at Castel Gandolfo, a papal residence outside Rome, for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and is set to have talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later.

Answering reporters' questions in a WhatsApp chat late on Monday, Zelenskyy reaffirmed his firm refusal to cede any territory, saying that "we clearly don't want to give up anything", even as "the Americans are looking for a compromise today". "Undoubtedly, Russia insists that we give up territories," he said. "According to the law, we don't have such a right. According to Ukraine's law, our constitution, international law, and, to be frank, we don't have a moral right either."

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