ROME: In response to local press reports that Rome was preparing to send several older aircraft to support Kiev's military, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy will not provide fighter jets to Ukraine.

Meloni was asked to comment on a recent report by La Repubblica newspaper that claimed Italy was set to donate five of its old AMX ground attack fighters during his visit to Kiev on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Was prepared.

The decision would need to be made "in consultation with international partners", he said, adding that "at this time, the supply of planes is not on the table."

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The SAMP/T surface-to-air missile launcher, which will be provided in coordination with France, is one of the air defense systems to be included in Italy's new arms package for Ukraine, according to Meloni.

According to Foreign Minister Antonio Tazzani, Italy will send new air defenses "within weeks", despite the PM's lack of information about the upcoming shipment of weapons.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto promised to continue the arms flow indefinitely, and the government has already approved an order to extend military aid until 2023.

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Kiev has repeatedly asked its Western backers for fighter jets, but so far no one has agreed to buy them. Poland and Slovakia, two NATO members, have offered to send older MiG-29 aircraft from their arsenals, but have not yet done so. Warsaw has urged the US to lead a "broad coalition" of nations to provide the aircraft.

President Andrzej Duda recently noted that his country has fewer than 50 warplanes in its inventory, suggesting that Warsaw does not have any to spare. Despite Poland being one of the most vocal in its demand for fighter jets for its neighbour, Warsaw has not been able to supply any.

Zelensky acknowledged during his joint press conference with Meloni on Tuesday that foreign leaders "have the right to take their position," referring to Italy's refusal to provide the jets.

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The two leaders also agreed to a joint statement in which they reaffirmed their "support for the principles of international law". Rome pledged to encourage its NATO and European allies to "promote strong and effective political and material support for Ukraine".