Thousands mass in Kyiv's twin city Florence to back Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses demonstrators via video as they gather in Santa Croce square to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Florence, Italy, March 12, 2022. REUTERS/Chiara Negrello

FLORENCE (Reuters) - Thousands of people packed into one of Florence's biggest squares on Saturday to show their support for Ukraine and listen to a videoed speech from its President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Florence has been twinned with Kyiv since the 1960s, when Ukraine's capital sent aid to the Tuscan city to help it recover from a devastating flood.