NATO Secretary General and Italian Prime Minister emphasize the need to increase aid to Ukraine

They said this today in Rome during a press statement following the bilateral talks, reports a Ukrinform correspondent.

“Our meeting was dedicated to strengthening the alliance's defense and its coordinating role in (assistance) to Ukraine. The common goal remains to create the best possible conditions for a just peace (in Ukraine – editor's note) and to coordinate the role that NATO can and must play in this regard in order to help Ukraine to look ahead. “We have provided nine military assistance packages, with a focus on air defense equipment, to help protect civilians,” Meloni said

She emphasized that Italy provides Ukraine with comprehensive assistance, including in the humanitarian field. In this context, the Italian leader expressed her belief that Italy will play its role in the Ukraine Restoration Conference in 2025.

Meloni noted that she sees the implementation of the agreement on the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine as one of the most important achievements of the Italian G7 presidency.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked the Italian Prime Minister for his support to Ukraine. He noted that strengthening deterrence and defense is the top priority of this alliance and that it is also about protecting one billion people who make up its population.

“That is why we are expanding our defense industrial capabilities. We are producing more shells, ships and missiles than we have in decades. But we have to go further and faster. For our own deterrence and to support Ukraine,” said the NATO chief.

He said he looked forward to working with Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone as the next chairman of the NATO Military Committee – NATO's highest military role.

Rutte also welcomed the government's recent announcement that Italy would invest 8.2 billion euros in new-generation tanks and the modernization of the army's ground forces. He believes that all Allies should do more to strengthen deterrence and defense and meet their commitments to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense.

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

The NATO Secretary General has reportedly been visiting European capitals since his appointment. Yesterday, Mark Rutte visited Germany, where he also highlighted the country's contribution to the Alliance's common security and joint efforts to support Ukraine.