In talks in Rome, Zelenskyy and Meloni said teams will work out details of expanded defence cooperation, including drones, without announcing immediate agreements<\/p>\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said they would work to strengthen defence cooperation, including joint efforts in drone production, following talks in Rome.<\/p>\n
While no specific agreements were finalised, Zelenskyy said teams from both countries would work out the details in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we have discussed at length how to strengthen our cooperation in the field of defence,\u201d AFP quoted Meloni as telling reporters.<\/p>\n
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\u201cItaly in particular is very interested in developing joint production, especially in the area of drones, a sector in which we know very well that Ukraine has in recent years become a leading nation,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy\u2019s visit to Italy follows his trip to Berlin, where he and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a strategic defence partnership, also centred on drone technology.<\/p>\n
Ukraine has increasingly showcased its drone capabilities, developed during more than four years of war with Russia, particularly amid the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran. Kyiv has sent specialists abroad and engaged with countries facing similar threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cUkraine has developed a special format of security agreement, which we call the Drone Deal format,\u201d Zelenskyy said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur expertise, military experience, and our defensive capabilities in the fields of drones, missiles, electronic warfare, and data exchange \u2013 we are proposing to bring all of this together with the capabilities of our partners, so that we support each other,\u201d he explained, through an Italian interpreter.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of strengthening Ukraine\u2019s air defence systems following fresh Russian strikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need air defence missiles every single day \u2013 every day the Russians continue their strikes on our cities,\u201d he wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy also held talks in Norway with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, with both sides agreeing to deepen defence and security cooperation.<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, Meloni reiterated the importance of transatlantic unity, a day after criticism from US President Donald Trump over Italy\u2019s stance on the Iran conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cA divided West and a fractured Europe would be the only true gift we could give Moscow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Despite being one of Washington\u2019s closest allies in Europe and a vocal supporter of Ukraine, Italy has declined to authorise some US military aircraft involved in combat missions to land at its Sigonella base in Sicily.<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy is also pushing European nations to join the PURL programme, which allows Ukraine to receive US military equipment funded by European countries.<\/p>\n
While Italy has supplied weapons, including the French-Italian SAMP\/T air defence system, it has not yet joined the initiative.<\/p>\n
With inputs from agencies<\/p>\n
First Published:
\nApril 15, 2026, 22:11 IST<\/p>\n
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