The President of the Government has assured that Spain will study together with the rest of the European countries the shipment of more weapons to Ukraine after the commitment to provide six Leopard tanks that could be up to ten in the coming months. Regarding Volodímir Zelenski’s specific demand for combat aircraft that can face the Russian offensive, Pedro Sánchez responded in an interview on Cadena Ser: “We are going to study it. When Ukraine requests this type of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, it is not to attack Russia, because it was never in Ukraine’s mind to attack Russia or invade a square centimeter of Russian soil. It is to defend yourself. It seems to me that it is a legitimate request that we have to study. From there, obviously we will have to see what are the military capabilities that the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense have, but from the military point of view, I insist, we are already giving a lot of resources to the Ukrainian people”.
Multimedia chronicle of a year of war in Ukraine
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Sánchez has raised the same reflection during an interview on TVE stressing that, in any case, “we will have to study it in coordination with our allies, we have not made a decision.” Earlier, in another interview in El País, the Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, was clearer on the matter, assuring that sending combat planes is not even an option taken into account at this time. “That is not on the table at this time. It is not something that is being considered by any ally, ”he replied.
Albares stressed, however, that “Spain’s commitment to Ukraine is beyond doubt, in all areas. Of course, that of military material, because giving it to him is allowing him to defend his territorial integrity and his sovereignty”. Just a few days ago, Defense Minister Margarita Robles did categorically rule out sending combat aircraft after explaining that Spain does not have F16 models as requested by Ukraine. “Ukraine has asked for planes that Spain does not have; Spain cannot help in this area, ”she assured.
Pedro Sánchez visited this Thursday at the invitation of President Volodímir Zelenski, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. During his trip, he visited the city of Bucha and the neighborhood of Irpin, near kyiv. Afterwards, he participated in a wreath-laying to the fallen in the war before meeting one-on-one with President Zelensky.
After the meeting of both leaders, there was a joint appearance and Zelenski toured, together with the Spanish president, what is known as Paseo de los Valientes where the Ukrainian leader showed Pedro Sánchez the plaque that commemorates his previous visit to Ukraine on April 21, 2022. Later, Sánchez also went to the Ukrainian Parliament to meet with its president and deliver a speech before the plenary.
