Ukraine, Italy cooperation to include industrial ties in air defense, drones, ammunition production – NSDC secretary
Ukraine and Italy have stressed their readiness to continue dialogue on further developing cooperation on a pragmatic and mutually beneficial basis, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said after a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome on Wednesday.
"Future cooperation will cover several areas, including capacity building, exchange of experience and lessons learned, as well as industrial cooperation in various sectors, including air defense, unmanned systems, ammunition and the maritime sphere, among others. Cooperation may include joint research, technological interaction, industrial partnerships and investment initiatives aimed at expanding dialogue in areas important for modern defense, such as logistics, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection," Umerov said on Telegram.
According to him, the sides are working on a Strategic Defense Partnership framework, known as the Drone Deal, intended to outline common goals, possible areas of cooperation and mechanisms for periodic review. This framework is meant to provide a structured basis for further dialogue and the gradual development of joint initiatives, the NSDC secretary added.
Both sides aim to build a sustainable long-term partnership that will contribute to peace and stability in Europe, Umerov said.