Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal has called on Italian companies to co-invest in major industrial projects in Ukraine’s defence and security sectors following talks with Italy’s Ambassador Carlo Formosa.
Top priorities discussed included:
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Joint defence production initiatives with Ukrainian manufacturers;
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Maritime security projects aimed at strengthening protection of Black Sea ports;
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Use of European financing instruments such as the SAFE programme to catalyse industrial investment inside Ukraine.
Shmyhal thanked Italy for its ongoing military assistance — including a new batch of armoured vehicles — and stressed Kyiv’s interest in deeper industrial integration with Italy as part of its broader strategy to localise defence manufacturing and build long-term resilience.
Investment Angle:
Italy’s strong political backing and participation in EU defence-industrial tools position Italian firms to gain early-mover access to co-production, shipbuilding and high-tech defence contracts as Ukraine expands strategic industrial capacity under wartime demand.
