President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez have signed a bilateral agreement on Security Cooperation.
This came as Zelenskyy arrived in Madrid on a state visit.
Zelenskyy was set to travel to Spain earlier this month but had to cancel the trip after Russia’s Kharkiv offensive forced him to clear his foreign agenda.
In a rare gesture, Spain’s King Felipe VI received Zelenskyy at the Barajas airport, underscoring the importance of the visit for Madrid.
According to a Spanish news agency, the last time the King received a President was in the summer of 2023 when he welcomed US President Joe Biden for a NATO Summit in Madrid.
The signed a bilateral security agreement allocates $1.1 billion of military aid to Ukraine in 2024, and $5.4 billion by 2027.
More Leopard tanks and artillery ammunition also feature in the package.
The document enshrines Spain’s commitment to support Ukraine as long as necessary to restore its territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of 1991.
According to the agreement, Spain will continue to support the development of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, provide modern military equipment in various fields, support medical training and prosthetics for the Ukrainian military, and strengthen Ukraine’s maritime security.
Bilateral security cooperation will also be deepened in the areas of intelligence, the fight against organized crime, and the defense industry, in particular by exploring opportunities for joint production and finding possible sources of funding needed to develop Ukraine’s defense industry.
The agreement also covers humanitarian aid, economic recovery and reconstruction, and support for Ukraine’s reforms on its path to EU and NATO membership.
Certain provisions of the document are devoted to supporting the Ukrainian Peace Formula, strengthening sanctions against Russia, introducing a mechanism for compensation for damages, and bringing Russia to justice.
Spain is the tenth country to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in furtherance of the Joint Declaration adopted by Ukraine and the G7 members in Vilnius on July 12, 2023.
A total of 32 states have already committed themselves to the Joint Declaration.
Previously, Ukraine signed bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, and Latvia.
Sanchez Stresses Bilateral Deal’s Importance
Speaking at a joint press conference, Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez said the bilateral security deal was of “enormous transcendence.”
He noted that the deal is based on an integral vision of security, ranging from arms supplies to humanitarian aid and defense industry cooperation.
“This will reinforce Ukraine’s capacities, including, of course, its air defense capacities, which are essential to defend the civilian population and infrastructure,” Sanchez said.
“After more than two years (of war), Russia’s aggression continues, and that’s why it is more necessary than ever to redouble our support.”
Pedro Sanchez
The Spanish leader also stated that there will be an “important peace summit” in mid-June to advance toward a “negotiated end to the conflict” in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, in turn, thanked Spain for its help in such a “difficult time,” adding that the Russian army is firing more than 3,000 missiles per month at Ukraine, a number that he predicts will increase.
The Ukrainian President also thanked Spain for its unwavering support of Ukraine’s movement towards the European Union and NATO and Pedro Sanchez for confirming his participation in the Global Peace Summit.
“This Summit will be the first real opportunity to bring a just and lasting peace closer. Not just some kind of pause between Russian strikes, but a real peace. Every leader who does not want this war and Russian aggression to continue can demonstrate their genuine interest in peace at the Summit.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
After his trip to Spain, the Ukrainian leader is due to visit Portugal on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
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