The new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, has had his first telephone conversation since taking office with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

"I value that Antonio Tajani held his first call as Italy’s new Foreign Minister with me. A clear sign of the new government’s priorities. I wished him all the success in his endeavours and emphasised that Ukraine’s highest priority now is to swiftly receive air defence systems," Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

I value that @Antonio_Tajani held his first call as Italy’s new Foreign Minister with me. A clear sign of the new government’s priorities. I wished him all the success in his endeavors and emphasized that Ukraine’s highest priority now is to swiftly receive air defense systems.

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) October 22, 2022

Tajani was confirmed as foreign minister in Giorgia Meloni’s new government on 21 October. He held the post of president of the European Parliament from 2017 to 2019. Tajani will also become Italy’s deputy prime minister.