Zelenskyy asks Italy for SAMP-T air defense systems

Zelenskyy said this in an interview with the Italian publication Corriere della Sera.

“Air defense systems. That's our biggest priority right now. You know why. Because we want our people to come home from abroad, so that their children can go to school, to university, etc. But without security, without air defense we cannot provide this. Very few countries produce air defense systems - not only do they have them, but they also produce them. Italy together with France and Germany produces SAMP-T complexes. And we need them,” Zelenskyy said. 

At the same time, the president recalled that he had a telephone conversation with the new Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and invited her to visit Ukraine.

“I think we are building a new level of relations between Ukraine and Italy. This happened during the government of Mario Draghi. It became possible thanks to him and the Italian society. We built a very strong, strong relationship. And I don't want to destroy it. And I said this to Giorgia, and she answered: "Yes, of course. I really support you and want to have relations at the same high level as they were. And I don't want to destroy them either,” Zelenskyy said.

The president emphasized that Ukraine is honest and open in its relations with Italy, is grateful for the assistance already provided and hopes for further cooperation.

• Earlier, on October 18, the IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile complex provided to Ukraine by Germany was put on combat duty.