The EU redoubles efforts to cover Ukraine's defence and economic needs

Pedro Sánchez, President of the Spanish Government, opened the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, to reinforce European support for Ukraine as Russia's invasion continues. 

Pedro Sánchez assured that the EU continues to coordinate efforts to cover Ukraine's defence needs, through the European Peace Fund, while the unjustifiable Russian invasion continues. Pedro Sánchez's trip to Kiev on the first day of the rotating European Presidency that Spain will hold for the next six months, until 31 December, "demonstrates the clear and unequivocal political commitment of the EU institutions" to Ukraine, as the Spanish Prime Minister said after meeting with the Ukrainian President, Volodymir Zelenski, according to the EFE news agency.  

In relation to the Spanish rotating Presidency of the European Council, the President of the Spanish Government recalled that an eleventh package of sanctions was approved against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and explained that the European Union is maintaining a coordinated effort to cover Ukraine's defence needs, through the European Peace Fund, a tool with a financial ceiling which, since the decision was adopted this week at the European Council, now totals more than 12 billion euros. The Prime Minister emphasised that in 2023 Europe will provide 18 billion euros in financial aid so that Ukraine can continue to provide basic services to its citizens. All of this while Ukraine continues to demand its effective accession to the EU, for which it will have to face the process established by the EU institution, which requires it to fulfil a series of regulatory requirements and state reforms. 

Pedro Sánchez wanted to make it clear that Spain and the EU remain very committed to supporting the Ukrainian country in areas such as the economic, military and humanitarian spheres in the face of Russian aggression. The Spanish Prime Minister addressed the Ukrainian Parliament and later met with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski. Both leaders adopted a Joint Declaration in which Ukraine thanks Spain for its support in all areas, and in which Spain reiterates its firm commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, according to sources at La Moncloa Palace. Likewise, this Declaration underlines the firm commitment of both countries to bring to justice those responsible for war crimes and other serious crimes committed in Ukraine, and to support the establishment of an appropriate justice mechanism that will allow for accountability.

The Spanish Prime Minister also indicated that Spain will soon send new military equipment for the Ukrainian army, such as four Leopard tanks and several armoured vehicles. "In addition, we are about to deliver a field hospital with surgical capacity," Pedro Sánchez added, as reported from La Moncloa. 

On the health issue, Spain has provided assistance to more than 650 Ukrainian citizens, many of them wounded in combat or victims of serious illnesses. In addition, the Spanish state last week provided 24 tonnes of humanitarian aid to deal with the disaster of the destruction of the Kajovka dam, "We will contribute another 7 million euros to build shelters in Ukrainian schools, buy portable incubators and provide support to victims of sexual violence," added Pedro Sánchez. The Spanish Prime Minister also informed President Zelenski that Spain has decided to devote a further 55 million euros to the reconstruction of Ukraine. Of this figure, 51 million will be channelled through the World Bank Group and will focus on helping to finance small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine, while 4 million, channelled through the United Nations Development Programme, will go towards equipping Ukrainian schools with green and sustainable energy systems.

"I thank Spain for supporting our path towards EU membership," said Zelenski, who stressed the importance of getting closer to the goal of EU membership for Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front lines, as reported by EFE news agency. "It shows them that Europe sees the price our people pay for protecting exactly the same values that are already protected for all countries in the European Union," the Ukrainian president added.