Spain promised to launch an “important” aid package for Ukraine, without specifying, during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Madrid on Tuesday, where he met with managers from the Spanish defense sector with the aim of strengthening kyiv’s air defenses against the Russian invasion.
Zelensky, who was scheduled to meet with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, late on Tuesday, visited the headquarters of the radar and anti-drone company Indrain which the Spanish State has a participation, along with other defense companies and the Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles.
The Ukrainian leader’s European trip coincides with waves of Russian drone attacks and missiles that Ukraine has suffered in recent weeks.
Zelensky seeks air defense systems
“Advanced radars, drone technologies, essential equipment: all this means better protection of lives“Zelensky said on the social network X while meeting with defense sector managers.
“Ukraine needs to strengthen air defense: more systems and missiles for them,” published after a meeting with the leaders of the Congress of Deputies and the Spanish Senate.
He said he hoped for a “productive visit” that “would result in agreements that give us more strength.”
The Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Diego Martínez Belío, He told a conference that Spain would announce an “important” aid package during the visit, but gave no further details.
Spain has been criticized by NATO allies for rejecting calls from the president of the United States, Donald Trump.for European members to increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, although it has been firm in its support for Ukraine and participates in new defense missions on NATO’s eastern flank.
Next trip to Türkiye
Spain said in February it would provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) this year as part of a 10-year bilateral security and defense agreement signed in May 2024. It has previously supplied Ukraine with Leopard tanks, Patriot missiles, anti-tank systems and artillery ammunition.
Zelensky will have lunch with King Felipe VI before meeting with Sánchez and holding a press conference in the late afternoon. He is also expected to raise with Sánchez the issue of possible financing of the Ukrainian energy sector and frozen Russian assets.
Zelensky’s visit to Spain follows a trip to Greece and France, where it signed an agreement to purchase up to 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets over the next 10 years.
On Wednesday he will travel to Türkiye, where he is expected to meet with the United States special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to hold talks on reviving hopes for a possible peace deal with Russia.
