Ukraine, Italy to work out details of drone deal – Zelenskyy-Meloni meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed that their teams would work out the details of a special security agreement format – a drone deal.

"We will only strengthen each other. It is important that Italy is interested in such cooperation. Giorgia and I agreed that our teams will work out the details of a drone deal between our countries," Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference in Rome on Wednesday.

In addition, during the meeting with Meloni, the Ukrainian head of state briefed her on the situation on the frontline.

"Unfortunately, even over Easter Russia continued its assaults on the front, and Russian air strikes are continuing constantly, with hundreds of Shaheds almost every day, as well as missiles. Right now there are again Shahed UAVs in the skies over Ukraine, again a massive attack, so air defense is a key priority for us," he said.

Zelenskyy and Meloni discussed Ukraine's need for air defense and the possibility of working jointly on the production of air defense systems, as well as diplomacy and communication with the U.S. side, European and other partners. The president announced "new joint results."

For her part, the prime minister said Italy is interested in developing joint production, especially in the drone sector.

Meloni said they know that over these years Ukraine has truly become a leading nation in this field.

She said she had also discussed the conflict in the Middle East with Zelenskyy, adding that the war is becoming increasingly complex, and they continue to believe in the reality of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

Meloni said they hope that the peace process will resume, although this is not a simple situation. She added that Italy once again emphasizes that it is ready to do what it must for its own security, for the security of Europe, the countries of the Middle East and Iran.

According to her, Italy is ready to support partners in the Gulf countries thanks to the experience that Ukraine has acquired and developed over these past several years in the defense sphere.