Italy and Ukraine have pledged to deepen defence cooperation, including joint efforts in drone production, following talks between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome.
The agreement marks another step in Kyiv’s broader push to strengthen European military partnerships amid continued Russian strikes and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking after the meeting on 15 April, Meloni said both countries would work on developing joint production projects, particularly in drone technology, an area where Ukraine has gained significant battlefield experience over the past four years of war.
“Today we have discussed at length how to strengthen our cooperation in the field of defence,” Meloni said, adding that Italy is particularly interested in joint production initiatives with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said technical teams from both countries would now work on implementing the details of the cooperation framework. He described the initiative as part of a broader “Drone Deal” concept aimed at integrating Ukraine’s combat experience with the industrial capacity of European partners.
Ukraine has increasingly promoted its drone warfare expertise as a key component of its defence diplomacy, especially as European countries seek to strengthen air defence capabilities in response to evolving battlefield threats.
Zelenskyy reiterated that air defence remains Kyiv’s top priority, warning that Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue to cause civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Regional authorities reported that recent strikes killed several people, including a child.
The Ukrainian president has also been urging European allies to join the PURL programme, an initiative that enables Ukraine to receive U.S. military equipment financed by European partners. While some countries have provided weapons systems, including air defence platforms, Italy has not yet formally joined the programme.
The talks in Rome followed Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin, where Germany also agreed to deepen defence cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in drone technology and air defence systems.
The agreement comes as European governments reassess defence priorities amid wider geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts affecting regional security and energy stability.
