The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, during the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group
The meeting was opened by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who thanked everyone for the aid provided and pointed out that "this war is everyone's war, a conflict in which aid for air defence and artillery is vital". He has also stressed the importance of training in order to deal with conflict.
After the opening remarks by the US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, the Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov spoke, highlighting the efforts made by the allies to provide them with equipment and training, and referring in particular to the significant US aid recently approved.
This was followed by a detailed briefing on the current difficult situation on the ground, caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, as well as on the priority and most urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their longer-term requirements.
In her speech, Robles congratulated Defence Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov on the agreement reached in the US Congress and Senate to approve a major military aid package for Ukraine. She went on to recall that the commitment of our countries not only provides the defence systems Ukraine needs, but also boosts morale and support for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who live under constant threat from Russian drones and missiles.
Regarding the status of Spanish donations, Robles referred to the shipment the day before yesterday of a set of hospital medicines and individual combat first aid kits. She also reported on the delivery yesterday of a new consignment of large calibre artillery ammunition, which will be followed by further shipments of 155 and 120 mm ammunition in the coming months. The minister focused in particular on Spain's contribution to air defence, which is a key concern, announcing the dispatch of a set of long-range Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles that will arrive at the logistics base in four days' time.
In addition, Spanish assistance planned for the next two months includes light and heavy machine guns, protected wheeled logistics vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles, anti-tank weapons and field artillery howitzers. These shipments will be followed by the supply of various anti-aircraft surveillance systems and remote weapon stations for drone defence, systems that are being prepared by the Spanish defence industry.
Robles also reported that the preparation of new Leopard battle tanks for transfer to Ukraine is proceeding according to plan and that the first units will be ready before the end of June.
During the meeting, the minister was accompanied by Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, Secretary General for Defence Policy.
Non official translation