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Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
ROME – Italy pledged Thursday to increase its defence cooperation with Ukraine and encourage private investment to support Kyiv's post-war reconstruction.
Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized stronger collaboration between Italian and Ukrainian defense industries, describing the partnership as “increasingly central” to Kyiv’s resilience.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the initiative, with a particular focus on air defence and drone technologies. He praised Italy’s potential role in protecting lives in Ukraine “today” and in protecting Italy itself “tomorrow”.
Over 1,000 companies attended the conference during which Meloni announced a new EU equity fund designed to mobilize private capital and support Ukraine’s economic recovery.
“Don’t be afraid to invest, to build, to rebuild in Ukraine,” Meloni said, highlighting the involvement of national champions like Leonardo, Enel, Terna, and Ferrovie in joint projects with Ukrainian partners.
She also warned that companies linked to Russia’s war machine must be excluded from reconstruction efforts, echoing recent statements from the G7.
Agreements signed at the conference reached over €10 billion – below the €16.5 billion announced at the previous Ukraine Recovery conference in Berlin last year.
