Italy has started and is ready to play a leading role in the production of modern weapons for Ukraine, – the Vice-Speaker Olena Kondratiuk met with Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy
11 July 2024, 14:00
The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk held a working meeting in Rome with Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy Giorgio Mulé.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Vice President stressed that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Italian Government have a clear position of support for Ukraine, both in the military and in the issues of reconstruction. "In the Italian Parliament, there is also unity between the coalition and the opposition in support of Ukraine," Giorgio Mulé assured.
Such unity, he noted, helped in the decisions to provide military assistance and unblock USD 50 billion for Ukraine at the expense of the proceeds of frozen russian assets. Ukraine's reconstruction is also a priority for Italy. EUR 450 million has been allocated for this purpose.
On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada, Olena Kondratiuk thanked the Italian Chamber of Deputies for its comprehensive support of Ukraine. "For us, the decisions to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies following the NATO Washington Summit and the transfer of the SAMP/T air defence system by Italy are critically important," the Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.
Another topical issue raised at the meeting was military-industrial cooperation. This is especially true in the context of the implementation of the security agreement signed between the two countries and Ukraine's approaching NATO membership.
"Ukraine has high hopes for investment and cooperation with the Italian defence industry, which is one of the most developed in the world. We need a technological advantage over the aggressor, because we cannot compete with russia's human resources. We invite Italian companies to strengthen Ukraine's defence industry within the framework of the Zbroyari project," said Olena Kondratiuk.
Giorgio Mulé, in turn, said that the military enterprises operating in Italy, Rheinmetall and Leonardo, had signed a joint agreement to produce weapons for Ukraine.
A visit to one of these enterprises, where weapons for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are being manufactured and prepared for shipment, is included in the programme of the Deputy Speaker's official visit.
"Italy is ready to play a leading role and mobilise its existing military and technical potential and resources to provide Ukraine with high-quality modern weapons," assured Giorgio Mulé, the Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies.