Zelensky thanks Spain for supporting the nearly 180,000 Ukrainian refugees from the war

On his third visit to kyiv since the full-scale Russian invasion began, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, has promised Zelenski a strong economic and military support by the European Union and Spain in the short and medium term.

On this occasion, the unwavering support that Sánchez has shown to the Ukrainian president has the added value of doing so as a rotating president of the European Union. A mandate during which the next Ukrainian report will be presented to evaluate its accession process to the EU.

In this sense, Sánchez has qualified that the reforms that Brussels demands from kyiv to start access negotiations “they will be hard at first but beneficial in the long term”, and has shown optimism with the results that will be shown next October.

[Así se ayuda a los refugiados ucranianos que llegan a España]

In the joint press conference that both leaders have given at the end of their meeting, Zelenski has openly addressed the pressing need of his country to join the European Union and “as soon as the war is over”, also from NATO because, he assured, “the more countries of the Atlantic Alliance there are in Europe, the more space there will be for peace”.

The Ukrainian president, who described Sánchez’s visit on the first day of his European presidency as “very important and symbolic”, also thanked Spain for its political, humanitarian, military, economic and financial supportemphasizing the reception by Spain of close to 180,000 Ukrainians after the start of the invasion.

European funds and more weapons

After listing the aid packages that the EU has already delivered to Ukraine, Sánchez has made it clear that It will continue along the same lines because “the support of the European Union is also in the medium term”announcing that 50,000 million more will be allocated over the next four years.

The President of the Government explained that they have agreed on a joint declaration that “includes our common position on various aspects”, including the military. Sánchez has announced that Spain will shortly deliver four new Leopard tanks and a field hospital with surgical capacity.

At the moment, 10 Ukrainian doctors are being trained in Spain to manage this field hospital. These health professionals belong precisely to the Hospital del Servico de Fronteras of the Ministry of the Interior, which both leaders will visit this afternoon to conclude the official visit.

About the war

“The EU’s position has been very clear from the beginning: all Member States condemn Russian aggression“, has defended the President of the Government, who has insisted on the idea that the Twenty-seven will continue to deliver weapons to Ukraine so that they can defend themselves.

He recalled the new package of sanctions that the EU approved last week to try to prevent the evasion of sanctions already imposed.

[La UE se divide sobre las “garantías de seguridad” a Ucrania para frenar al Kremlin tras la guerra]

“A large international majority condemns Russia’s and Putin’s aggression and these annexations. Even so, I think that it is important to continue talking with other regions and countries, and we have to listen to the concerns of other countries, especially those with the fears they have for war, with food and energy security. I want to conclude by wishing Ukraine success in the counter-offensive, we hope that this will result in a just and lasting peace. Spain and Europe are by your side. Thank you “, Sánchez finished his intervention.