Albares, who was accompanied on the visit to the Torrejón de Ardoz air base - from where the shipment will depart - by the chargé d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain, Dmytro Matiuschenko, and by the director of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development, Antón Leis, stressed that sending this material "is another sign of our support and solidarity with Ukraine".
"Spain, as a people with strong roots in solidarity, is extraordinarily sensitive to the profound suffering of the Ukrainian population," said the minister, who took the opportunity to reiterate his firm condemnation of Russia's aggression against the Ukrainian people.
This situation has led to significant population movements, mainly towards the western border, which is now collapsed with hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their country. It has also led to an increase in basic needs, particularly in the health and shelter sectors.
This shipment follows a request made on 15 February by the Ukrainian government to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in anticipation of the worsening humanitarian situation. Ukraine's appeal includes goods to meet urgent needs: medical supplies and medicines, vehicles, personal protective equipment, blankets, tents, etc.
Following this request, Spain is sending these 20 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies worth more than 150,000 euros. The transport will be carried out by road at a cost of 10,000 euros, under the umbrella of a Team Europe initiative.
Non official translation
Pool Moncloa