NATO Secretary General, Italian Prime Minister emphasizes the need to increase aid to Ukraine

They said this today in Rome during a press release after bilateral talks, reports an Ukrinform correspondent.

“Our meeting was devoted to strengthening the Alliance’s defense and its coordinating role in (helping) Ukraine. The common goal remains to create the best possible conditions for a just peace (in Ukraine – ed.) and to coordinate the role that NATO can and must play in this regard to help Ukraine look forward. We have provided nine military aid packages focusing on air defense equipment to help protect civilians,” Meloni said

She emphasized that Italy provides Ukraine with extensive assistance, including in the humanitarian sector. In this regard, the Italian leader expressed his belief that Italy will play its role in the Ukraine Recovery Conference-2025.

Meloni noted that she considers the implementation of the agreement on the use of the proceeds of frozen Russian assets in favor of Ukraine to be one of the most important results of Italy’s presidency of the G7.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked the Italian Prime Minister for supporting Ukraine. He noted that strengthening deterrence and defense is this Alliance’s top priority, as well as protecting the one billion people who make up its population.

“That is why we are increasing our defense industrial capacity. Producing more shells, ships and missiles than we have done in decades. But we must go further and faster. For our own deterrence and to support Ukraine,” the NATO chief said.

He noted that he looks forward to working with Italy’s Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, as the next chairman of NATO’s Military Committee – NATO’s highest military role.

Rutte also welcomed the government’s recent announcement that Italy will invest 8.2 billion euros in the new generation of tanks and in renewing the army’s ground forces. According to him, all allies should do more to strengthen deterrence and defense and meet their commitments to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence.

“On Ukraine, we are establishing a new command, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, which will become fully operational in the coming months. And we are well on our way to fulfilling our pledge to provide Ukraine with €40 billion in military support by 2024 “We will continue to stand by Ukraine. Because Ukraine’s fight is our fight,” the NATO chief stressed.

As reported, the NATO Secretary General has visited European capitals since his appointment. Yesterday, Mark Rutte visited Germany, where he also noted the country’s contribution to the Alliance’s common security and to the collective effort to help Ukraine.