The Ukrainian leader reportedly hopes that Rome can help him secure additional Patriot batteries
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky hold a press conference in Kiev on February 24, 2024. © STR / NurPhoto / Getty Images
Ukraine wants Italy to use its G7 presidency to pressure the US to deliver more Patriot air defense missile batteries, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to the newspaper, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky sees Rome as “a mediator” that could help to “push Washington to unblock the transfer of a significant number of Patriots” before the US presidential election in November.
Zelensky met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio on Saturday, where the leaders discussed further Western aid to Ukraine. Meloni reaffirmed her support and promised “not to abandon Ukraine.”
Officials in Kiev have been urging NATO countries to provide more advanced air defense systems as Russia has stepped up strikes on Ukrainian territory in recent weeks, hitting energy infrastructure and military targets. According to Italian media, Rome is expected to donate a second SAMP/T anti-air battery by the end of this month.
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The Defense Post reported in June that Ukraine had a total of three operational Patriot batteries. US President Joe Biden promised a month later that Kiev would get five additional batteries provided by Washington and its allies. “We are laser-focused on Ukraine’s priority needs, including air defense, fires, and armor,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said this week.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated in the past that several Patriot launchers had already been destroyed in Ukraine. Moscow insists that no amount of Western weapons will deter its troops, with the Kremlin warning in June that “every new shipment constitutes another wave of escalation.”
