The goal has been to send “a strong message of support” to Ukraine from both the EU and Spain, as he explained at the joint press conference with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This Saturday, Sánchez also announced additional aid from Spain of 55 million euros to rebuild Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv on the first day of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU.
“The European Union’s position has been very clear from the outset. All Member States condemn the Russian aggression, and the European Union has put all its assistance mechanisms in place”, he stressed, on his third visit to Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Ukraine will be at the centre of all our debates”, Sánchez said of the six-month Spanish presidency, which will last until 31 December. (Quote)
Intensive bilateral cooperation
Sánchez reviewed the state of “intense bilateral cooperation” with Zelenskyy and announced further aid from Spain of 55 million euros to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
A total of 51 million euros will be managed through the World Bank to support small and medium-sized companies, and the other 4 million euros through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to install renewable energy systems in schools.
Ukraine will be at the centre of all our debates
The president also reiterated that Spain has taken in over 175,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war and that it will do so “for as long as is needed”, until there is “just peace” in Ukraine that allows them to safely return to their country.
In addition, more than 650 Ukrainians, most of them wounded in attacks resulting from the Russian invasion, have received treatment in Spain in recent months.
Strengthening support at the EU-CELAC Summit
Pedro Sánchez also referred to the upcoming EU-CELAC summit, which will be held in Brussels on 17 and 18 July, as “a great opportunity” to explain the need for continued support for Ukraine to Latin American and Caribbean allies.
After pointing out that some Latin American and Caribbean countries have “historical and traditional relations with Russia”, the President of the Government of Spain stressed that none of them agree with the violation of Ukraine’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pedro Sánchez praised Zelenskyy’s “diplomatic leadership” and considered it important for the Ukrainian president to be able to speak with the leaders “of the so-called Global South”.
Sánchez emphasised that the “extraordinary level of international support” for the resolutions on Ukraine adopted by the UN General Assembly “speaks for itself”.
“I think it is important to continue our efforts to reach out to other regions and countries, and we must listen to the concerns and fears of other countries, particularly regarding the consequences of the war on issues like food and energy security”, the President said.
Sánchez began his third trip to Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion with a speech to the Ukrainian people in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) and concluded it with a visit to the military hospital.
Joint declaration
Presidents Sánchez and Zelenskyy signed a joint statement reiterating their “unequivocal condemnation” of the Russian aggression, which “undermines the international order and the United Nations Charter”.
In the declaration, Spain reaffirms “its solid commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders”, and supports Ukraine’s initiative “for just and sustainable peace”.
