Ukraine and Italy are preparing a strategic defense partnership — Umerov

Ukraine is working with Italy to establish a framework for a strategic defense partnership. The document is intended to define common goals, areas of cooperation, and mechanisms for regular review.

This was reported by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, on Telegram.

In Rome today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of the Italian Republic, during which Umerov and Crosetto reaffirmed Ukraine and Italy’s shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.

According to Umerov, both sides seek to build a sustainable long-term partnership that will contribute to peace and stability in Europe.

“Ukraine expresses its gratitude for the political, military, and diplomatic support that Italy has provided since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Italy’s solidarity has contributed to Ukraine’s resilience and broader efforts to preserve peace and stability in Europe. In this context, both sides emphasize their readiness to continue dialogue on the further development of cooperation on a pragmatic and mutually beneficial basis,” Umerov stressed.

Future cooperation will cover several areas, including capacity building, the exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as industrial cooperation in various sectors, including air defense, unmanned systems, ammunition, and the maritime sector, among others.

“Cooperation may include joint research, technological interaction, industrial partnerships, and investment initiatives aimed at expanding dialogue in areas critical to modern defense, such as logistics, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection,” Umerov noted.

The parties are working on a Strategic Defense Partnership framework (known as the Drone Deal) designed to outline common goals, potential areas of cooperation, and mechanisms for periodic review. Umerov noted that this framework is intended to provide a structured basis for further dialogue and the gradual development of joint initiatives.

Both sides reaffirm the importance of relations between the defense ministries of Ukraine and Italy and express their intention to continue developing cooperation on a balanced, mutually beneficial, and sustainable basis.