Ukraine intensifies cooperation with Israel in defense sector - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a briefing with the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, in Kyiv on Wednesday, October 26, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Everyone is worried about our relationship. Everyone wants the warmer relations that exist between our societies. Honestly, I'm pleased with the fact that we've started working in recent days. [...] We're at the beginning of our cooperation. There's a positive trend in our relations with Israel. I am grateful for that," Zelensky said, adding that he devotes a lot of time to the topic of relations with Israeli partners.

Zelensky noted that the Ukrainian and Israeli intelligence services have now begun to cooperate. However, he refused to elaborate on exactly how this happens.

At the same time, he said that the data provided to Ukraine by Israeli intelligence confirmed the information that Ukrainian intelligence already had. In particular, he clarified that the issue concerned the use by Russia of about 400 Iranian drones against civilians in Ukraine. In this context, Zelensky thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine for shooting down 60-70% of those drones. He also expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed by Russian strikes.

According to The New York Times, Israel has recently given Ukraine intelligence useful for targeting the Iranian drones.

The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, is on a working visit to Kyiv on October 26.