Ukraine’s Zelensky says he may not go to Pope’s funeral due to ‘military meetings’
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the site of a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, where 12 people died, on April 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 25 he might miss Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, which US President Donald Trump is also to attend, due to important “military meetings”.
Mr Zelensky had earlier said he would attend the Vatican funeral, where he wanted to meet Mr Trump – who is pressuring both Kyiv and Moscow to reach a deal on the three-year war in Ukraine.
“If I am not (there) in time, Ukraine will be represented at a proper level,” Mr Zelensky said, as he visited the site of a deadly Russian strike on Kyiv.
“The Foreign Minister and the First Lady will be there. As for me, it was important for me to be here. There are several military meetings in Ukraine today,” he added.
Mr Zelensky said he would have a “number of meetings”, including on the strike on Kyiv that had killed 12 people a day earlier.
“There are several closed questions about this strike. And about Ukraine’s corresponding steps. I don’t know how long it will take. So if I have time, I will definitely be present (at the funeral),” he said.
Mr Zelensky earlier said that a missile fired by Russia on Kyiv on April 24 had been supplied by North Korea and had dozens of components from US firms. AFP
