Sánchez and Zelenskiy announce a new military aid package and the dispatch of experts for the International Criminal Court

Kyiv (Ukraine)

Sánchez, together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, visited the town of Borodianka, near Kiev, and saw on the ground the devastation and civilian deaths caused by Russian shelling.

Pedro Sánchez has conveyed to Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on behalf of the government and the people of Spain, "our deepest condolences for the loss of innocent Ukrainian lives" and has insisted that Spain will continue to condemn in the strongest terms the brutal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and will continue to offer them "all the help that is in our hands".

In his speech, Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed that the visit sends a powerful signal of unity against the Russian invasion, and underlined the need for continued effective sanctions against the Russian Federation.

This trip by Pedro Sánchez, the first by a President of the Government of Spain to Ukraine on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, has a twofold objective: "to convey our full support for Ukraine at this difficult time and to warn President Putin of our firm determination to condemn this unjust and unjustified war".

New Spanish support measures for Ukraine

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaDuring the joint intervention, Sánchez announced that Spain has just sent 200 tonnes of military material, the largest shipment ever made by our country, doubling the volume delivered so far. With regard to humanitarian aid, the President of the Government of Spain specified that, of the 31 million euros committed by Spain, 7 million euros will be dedicated to reinforcing the protection of women and minors through UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund. Pedro Sánchez has also confirmed that our country will reopen its embassy in Kiev.

President Sánchez informed that Spain, one of the more than 40 countries that is supporting the investigation of war crimes and the fight against impunity in Ukraine, will provide the International Criminal Court with a multidisciplinary team made up of 8 experts from the Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as 39 forensic doctors for field work from different Spanish regions, and forensic personnel and doctors for laboratory work from the Ministry of Justice. The aim is to contribute to investigations into alleged war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. This team will collaborate in the collection and analysis of evidence to assist in the identification of the victims, the explosive material used, and the techniques employed, as well as the identification of the perpetrators of the events under investigation.

Spain has supported Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaFrom the outset, Spain has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has supported the implementation of sanctions approved by the European Union, which is currently working on the sixth package of sanctions.

"Ukraine has clearly expressed its European vocation, making use of its right to choose its own destiny, and it has our support in this legitimate aspiration. It is clear that Ukraine belongs to the European family. I will take your testimony back to Spain; the testimony of hope represented by Ukraine's resistance, and also the testimony of rejection and indignation at the atrocities of war and its perpetrators," the President stressed.

The numbers of the humanitarian crisis continue to rise, with more than 5 million refugees. As the Chief Executive highlighted, "the Spanish people have once again demonstrated their solidarity with those who need it most" and continue with their work in the reception centres in Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga that have been set up for this purpose. In fact, Spain is the 6th EU country that has taken in the most displaced persons, more than 137,000 people, of whom more than 66,000 have already availed themselves of the temporary protection regime.

The President of the Government of Spain underlined to Zelenskiy that, "I am aware that the needs are enormous, and Spain is committed to help. For this reason, we will continue to give our full support to Ukraine".

Non official translation