Ukraine Signals Readiness to Expand Defense Cooperation With Slovenia

Ukraine has expressed readiness to expand defense cooperation with Slovenia, according to a statement attributed to a Ukrainian official identified as Khmara and reported by the state news agency Ukrinform.

The brief report, published by Ukrinform, said Ukraine views the potential expansion of ties with Slovenia in the defense sector as "mutually beneficial," though the outlet did not provide further details on the specific areas of cooperation being discussed or the context in which the statement was made.

Ukrinform did not specify Khmara's official position or title in the excerpt made available, nor did it elaborate on any concrete proposals, agreements, or timelines associated with the potential cooperation.

Ukraine has sought to broaden defense partnerships with a range of countries throughout its ongoing war with Russia, which began with Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Kyiv has repeatedly called on international partners for military assistance, equipment and cooperation on defense production.

Slovenia, a member of both the European Union and NATO, has previously provided various forms of support to Ukraine amid the conflict, though the specific nature of any prior or planned defense cooperation between Kyiv and Ljubljana was not detailed in the available report.

Further details on the statement, including the full context of Khmara's remarks and any response from Slovenian officials, were not immediately available.