- Spain pledges 1 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.
- Deal includes supply of modern military equipment for various uses.
- Spain to send Patriot missiles, Leopard tanks, and other weapons to Ukraine.
- Zelenskiy urges Western allies to speed up military support decisions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez signed a bilateral agreement in Madrid on Monday, where Spain pledged to provide military equipment worth 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) to Ukraine this year . Sanchez told a press conference that it was “more important than ever to redouble our support” .
The agreement calls for the supply of modern military equipment for ground, aerial, naval and other uses, prioritizing Ukraine’s key capacity needs . The pact also emphasizes maritime means to protect Ukraine’s food export routes, but gave no specifics .
According to El Pais newspaper, Spain will commit to sending Ukraine a dozen U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and 19 second-hand German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, as well as other Spanish-made weapons such as anti-drone gear and ammunition . The 12 missiles to be handed over to Ukraine do not include full missile defense systems .
Sanchez said it was not possible to send Patriot launchers, but Spain was already providing the missiles . However, spokespeople for the prime minister’s office and the Defence Ministry declined to comment on the El Pais report .
Spain also vowed to help boost Ukrainian defense industry output and to study joint production opportunities . The sides agreed to work to solve bottlenecks in defense supply and prevent any illicit circulation of defense material provided to Ukraine .
Zelensky told Reuters this month that Western allies were taking too long to make key decisions on military support for Ukraine . He said he was pushing partners to get more directly involved in the war by helping to intercept Russian missiles over Ukraine and allowing Kyiv to use Western weapons against enemy military equipment amassing near the border .
Before the meeting with Sanchez, Zelensky was greeted on the tarmac at Barajas airport by King Felipe of Spain, a gesture underlining the importance of the visit for Madrid . The meeting came as Ukraine has been battling a Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv region, which began on May 10 in Moscow’s biggest territorial advance in 18 months .
Ukraine has been pleading for more weapons for its outgunned and outnumbered troops, notably seeking help to address its lack of air defense systems . According to the Kiel Institute, which tracks weapons pledged and delivered to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, Spain has so far committed 330 million euros in military aid, making it a small contributor on a European level .
By comparison, Berlin, Paris, and Rome have committed 18.61 billion, 5.65 billion, and 1.0 billion euros, respectively, while London’s contribution stands at 9.22 billion euros . In April, Spain pledged to send an unspecified number of Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine and has also sent 10 Leopard tanks .
The deal signed on Monday includes a commitment for one billion euros in military aid for 2024, Sanchez told a joint news conference . He said it would 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 .
