The Italian government is preparing a new arms package for Ukraine, including air defense systems. This was revealed by a representative of the ruling coalition, who wished to remain anonymous, reports “Reuters”.
Western countries are supplying more air defense equipment to Ukraine after the president last month Volodymyr Zelensky asked the leaders of the G-7 countries for helpto stop Russian air strikes against Ukrainian cities.
The representative of the Italian coalition said Rome is ready to supply Ukraine with various air defense systems, including the Franco-Italian medium-range SAMP / T and the Italian Aspide, as well as the Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
For now though It is unclear how many of them the country can offer or when it will deliver them.
Yesterday the Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in a telephone conversation with the American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised support Ukraine against the Russian invasion “if necessary”.
Italy approved its first arms shipment to Kiev at the end of February under Mario Draghi’s national unity government. Georgia Meloni’s newly formed right-wing coalition government is preparing a sixth round of supplies.
Meloni is a staunch supporter of Ukraine despite the ambivalence of his coalition allies Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, who historically have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Roma never disclosed the details of the weapons they sent to Kiev after the Russian invasion. According to Italian and Ukrainian media, however, previous deliveries included multi-launch systems (MLRS), Pzh2000 howitzers and armored vehicles.
Yesterday Kiev announced that it had received its first delivery of systems for NASAMS air defense of the United States.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron also promised to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
