Italy, France discuss sending air defense systems to Ukraine with France - FM Tajani

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this, Ansa reports. 

“We are also discussing with the French the improvement from a technical point of view of sending air defense systems based on joint technologies of Rome and Paris,” Tajani said.

In particular, commenting on the call of Jake Sullivan, the US President's National Security Adviser, Tajani said that “negotiations with Washington are ongoing and normal, we are an important interlocutor, but weapons were not discussed.”

“We must continue to work for the benefit of peace, but there are signs that do not allow us to be optimistic: currently there are no real manifestations of openness from the Russian side,” Tajani said.

• In October, Zelenskyy asked Italy for SAMP-T air defense systems

• On December 27, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a conversation with the President of Ukraine that her country is considering providing air defense equipment to protect the sky from Russian attacks

• On December 28, it became known that Italy will continue to support Ukraine, including by providing military aid. In particular, the country will provide air defense systems “if there is such an opportunity”