Amid Zelensky’s visit, Spain promises $1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine.
Amid Zelensky’s visit, Spain promises $1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine.
On Monday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine signed a security pact in Madrid, whereupon Spain committed to giving Ukraine one billion euros in military aid.
Sanchez said that the accord “includes a commitment for one billion euros in military aid for 2024” at a joint press conference.
Referring to a Russian strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv that left at least sixteen people dead, he said, “It will allow Ukraine to boost its capabilities including its essential air defense systems to protect its civilians, cities, and infrastructure which are still suffering indiscriminate attacks as seen this weekend in Kharkiv.”
Zelensky’s visit takes place at the same time as Russia launches its biggest land offensive in eighteen months, a ground assault on the Kharkiv region that Ukraine is presently fighting that began on May 10.
After three years of Russian invasion, Ukraine has been pleading for more weapons for its troops, who are outnumbered and outgunned, particularly to make up for its lack of air defense systems.
According to the daily El Pais, the agreement would include contemporary Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks.
Zelensky has previously approved bilateral security agreements with several countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Sanchez stated that the security pact would cover a wide range of subjects.
“The agreement is founded on a thorough assessment of security and encompasses a number of sectors, including financial, military, and humanitarian support, cooperation between the defense industries of Spain and Ukraine, assistance with reconstruction, and de-mining, among other things,” he stated.
Up until recently, Madrid hasn’t provided Kyiv with much military assistance.
Spain has contributed a meager 330 million euros in military aid to date, according to the Kiel Institute, which tracks the weapons that have been pledged and sent to Ukraine since the Russian invasion.
By comparison, the figures show that contributions from Berlin, Paris, Rome, and London total 18.61 billion, 5.65 billion, and 1.0 billion euros, respectively, and 9.22 billion from London.
Spain promised to transfer an quantity of Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine in April. Additionally, ten Leopard tanks were deployed.
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