Italy Considers Air Defence Systems for Ukraine - Meloni to Zelenskyy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.
Zelenskyy thanked the head of the Italian government for solidarity and comprehensive support of Ukraine.
He also welcomed the Italian government's allocation of additional 10 million euros in aid, which was announced by Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, at a conference in Paris on December 13.
"Mrs. Meloni informed that the issue of providing air defence systems to protect Ukrainian skies is being considered. We discussed Peace Formula," Zelenskyy tweeted.
Thanked @GiorgiaMeloni for solidarity and comprehensive support for 🇺🇦. Commended 🇮🇹 government's allocation of additional €10 million in aid. Mrs. Meloni informed that the issue of providing air defense systems to protect 🇺🇦 skies is being considered. We discussed #PeaceFormula
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 27, 2022
It is currently unclear which air defence systems Italy is going to hand over to Ukraine, but the media reported in November that Italy considered SAMP/T and Aspide systems as part of a new aid package.
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Italy stated that she would like to visit Ukraine in early 2023.
Giorgia Meloni is the leader of the right-wing "Brothers of Italy" party who became the first female Prime Minister in September.
After winning the elections, she promised support for Ukraine and underlined military aid to Ukraine as the only condition for the possible achievement of peace between Kyiv and Moscow.