Italy to provide Ukraine with three air defense systems – Meloni

The new package of military aid to Ukraine from Italy, in addition to the promised earlier SAMP-T air defense system, will also include the Skyguard anti-aircraft missile complex and Spike system ( fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system – ed.).

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated this at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

"We have given the sixth package of military aid to Ukraine, which mainly concentrates on air defense to protect civilian infrastructure, because a cynical game is being played to reduce civilian resistance, and it has to be answered. We have worked on this with France to combine our technologies quickly. The SAMP-T air defense system is essential, but the new aid package also includes other air defense systems – Skyguard and Spike. Today, the strategic goal is to protect critical infrastructure," Meloni said.

She added that Italy would also help Ukraine in demining.

Meloni also informed that generators to support the civilian population were transferred on February 21.

Regarding the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine, the Prime Minister of Italy noted that when it comes to a country against which aggression has been carried out, all the weapons supplied to it are defensive and intended for protection.

"At this stage, our partners and we are concentrating on the topic of air defense," Meloni stressed.

President Zelensky, in turn, noted that Italy provides Ukraine with a "powerful package."

"SAMP-T is a very serious technology, we worked on it for a long time, and the Prime Minister's personal leadership allowed us to receive these systems. In addition, Ukraine will receive two more important systems (air defense – ed.) to protect the lives of our people," the head of state said.

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Earlier, the largest group in the European Parliament, namely the European People's party, canceled the visit to Naples after the unacceptable statements of the former Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, who blamed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, for russia's invasion. Also, he accused Ukraine of "attacking Donbas" and called for an end of support for the Ukrainian army. The Office of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni reacted to this statement, emphasizing that Italy firmly supports Ukraine in the fight against russian aggression.