Italy’s Expanding Role in Ukraine: From Discreet Supporter to Strategic Partner
Italy has emerged as a pivotal but low-profile force in backing Ukraine. While sending Storm Shadow missiles and SAMP/T air defense systems, Italy has pledged $1.5 billion in military support for 2025 alone—arming Ukraine without drawing too much attention. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of the few EU leaders with close ties to Donald Trump, has taken a central role in shaping Ukraine’s future defense. She’s advocated for NATO-style guarantees that stop short of full membership, offering strong assurances while avoiding direct geopolitical escalation. Her appearances at the “coalition of the willing” summit in London and meetings with Trump in Washington highlight Italy’s growing diplomatic weight.
On February 24, 2024—the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion—Italy signed a ten-year Security Cooperation Agreement with Ukraine, becoming the fifth G7 nation (after the UK, Germany, France, and Canada) to commit to Ukraine’s long-term defense.
Italy’s Commitments at a Glance
Under this landmark agreement, Italy pledged support across ten key areas:
- Weapons and military equipment supply
- Defense industry collaboration
- Use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
- Military training and education
- Sanctions on Russia and its allies
- Civil protection and non-military security
- Demining operations
- Energy infrastructure support
- Humanitarian and reconstruction aid
- Accountability for Russian aggression
Military Aid: Powerful Yet Low-Key
Italy has chosen a discreet approach, refraining from publicizing specific aid details while consistently delivering support. In 2024 alone, Italy sent two military aid packages—bringing the total to ten. These included another SAMP/T air defense system, Storm Shadow missiles, M109 self-propelled howitzers, Puma armored vehicles, and critical ammunition.
Italy also plays a leading role in multinational coalitions focused on naval capabilities, air and missile defense, and drones. It co-leads the Armored Vehicles Coalition, supporting Ukraine’s ground operations. The $1.5 billion allocated for 2025 signals its long-term commitment.
Building a Defense Future
Italy’s support extends beyond emergency aid. In 2023, five Italian defense companies—Leonardo, Fincantieri, Elettronica, Iveco Defense Vehicles, and FAE Group—joined the Defense Industries Alliance. By early 2025, joint ventures were in the works, with plans to co-develop air defense systems, UAVs, and electronic warfare technology with Ukrainian partners.
Financial Innovation: ERA Loans
During its 2024 G7 presidency, Italy pioneered the $50 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, using income from frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. The EU approved up to €35 billion, with €3 billion already disbursed in early 2025. Italy is also negotiating the use of frozen Russian funds under its jurisdiction to buy Italian-made air defense systems for Ukraine.
Training and Cyber Defense
Italy has played a key role in the EU’s EUMAM training mission, helping train more than 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including 170 command units. Italian instructors worked across facilities in Italy, Germany, and Poland.
In cyberspace, Italy contributes to both the IT Coalition and the Tallinn Mechanism, which raised over €482 million for Ukraine’s cyber defenses, with another €200 million allocated for critical IT infrastructure.
Sanctions and Justice
Between February 2024 and February 2025, Italy helped drive three new EU sanctions packages, targeting Russia’s defense sector, energy companies, and individuals involved in war crimes. Highlights include:
- The 15th package targeting 52 shadow fleet vessels and chemical plants
- The 16th package (Feb 2025) sanctioning 74 more ships and 53 defense-linked firms
- Sanctions extended to non-Russian entities in China, India, UAE, Singapore, and Uzbekistan
Italy also backs a tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leadership and actively supports efforts to reunite Ukrainian children deported by Russia—over 600 were returned in 2024 alone.
Rebuilding Ukraine
Italy has pledged over €200 million to restore Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure and provided another €13 million to the Energy Support Fund. A €200 million program with the EBRD includes subsidized loans for hydroelectric plant repairs. Italy is also partnering with UNEP to bring renewable energy to Ukrainian cities.
In healthcare, Italy has trained 130+ medical professionals and supported treatment for wounded Ukrainians. It contributed €160,000 to Kyiv’s National Cancer Institute and over €320 million in broader budget support for humanitarian and social needs.
Italy has “adopted” Odesa as part of its reconstruction strategy, leading efforts to restore the historic Transfiguration Cathedral and investing in local demining efforts with FAE Group’s PT-300 D: MINE systems.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Growth
Italy will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in July 2025. The goal is to accelerate rebuilding while promoting Ukrainian economic self-sufficiency, including the global promotion of “Made in Ukraine” products—modeled after Italy’s own “Made in Italy” brand strategy.
A Strategic Alliance in a Global Network
Italy’s agreement is part of a broader international framework. As of early 2025, Ukraine had signed 29 bilateral security agreements—27 with G7 Joint Declaration signatories, one with the EU, and another with Croatia.
These agreements stem from NATO’s July 2023 Vilnius summit, which established the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine—laying the foundation for coordinated, long-term security and recovery support from global allies.
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