More sanctions needed Zelensky tells Italian parliament

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 22 - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said sanctions on Russia needed to be stepped up when he addressed the Italian parliament via video link on Tuesday as his country continues to combat Moscow's invasion.
    "The Ukraine people supported you during the pandemic. We sent you doctors, and the Italians helped us during the flood (of 2020)," Zelensky said.
    "We are grateful, but the invasion has lasted 27 days, almost a month, and we need more sanctions, more pressure".
    Zelensky told the Italian lawmakers that the Russian invaders of his country were guilty of crimes like those committed by the Nazis.
    "In Kyiv they torture, they rape, they kidnap children, they destroy and they take away our assets in trucks," Zelensky said.
    "The last time this was done in Europe was by the Nazis.
    "The Russian army has even mined the sea near to our ports.
    "This is a danger to countries close to us too".
    Zelensky said that "our people has become the army".
    He said Ukraine "has seen the evil the enemy brings, how much devastation it leaves and how much blood it sheds" as he told lawmakers about what he had reported to Pope Francis in telephone conversation earlier on Tuesday.
    Zelensky was greeted by a standing ovation of Italian MPs and Senators both at the start and end of his 12-minute address.
    (ANSA).