President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have discussed the next package of military assistance to Ukraine, as the press service of the presidential office reports.
"During our meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, we confirmed the strong Ukrainian-Italian partnership. I thank Italy for its fundamental and consistent support in protecting our freedom and our people and families. I informed about the progress of our counteroffensive and our priority defence needs. We discussed the next package of military assistance from Italy, in particular, ways to strengthen our air defence," the statement said.
It is noted that the parties also focused on key challenges to European security, such as Russia's hybrid threats. The President emphasised that Europeans must protect our continent from Russia's conversion of food, energy, migration and other issues into weapons.
"To protect Ukraine from Russian aggression means to protect the whole of Europe from all threats and destabilisation provoked by the Kremlin. In particular, in Africa, where Russia destabilises entire countries," Zelenskyy said.
He also said that the parties discussed Italy's upcoming G7 presidency.
The President of Ukraine thanked Giorgia Meloni for confirming that support for Ukraine would be a top priority for Italy. He also thanked for Italy's readiness to take patronage of the Odesa restoration.