Spain and Ukraine sign a bilateral security agreement: "Defence, security, peace and reconstruction are our priorities"

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, after the signing of the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Spain and Ukraine (Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

Pedro Sánchez has received the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, at Moncloa Palace to sign a bilateral political agreement on security and defence that also extends to areas such as humanitarian assistance, the reconstruction of the country and the search for a just and lasting peace based on international law.

The president stressed that we are "at a crucial moment" in which it is "more necessary than ever" to redouble support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unjustified aggression. In this regard, Spain has reaffirmed its commitment through a 10-year political agreement in different areas that project and strengthen Spain's future support for Ukraine.

Spain has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion together with the rest of the allies, and has supported military and humanitarian aid initiatives at European level. The most prominent is the €50 billion Ukraine Facility financial instrument recently approved in Brussels, dedicated to providing strong and sustained support over time.

This unequivocal proof of support has now been transferred to the bilateral level between Spain and Ukraine, with a €1 billion agreement for 2024 that will allow Ukraine to strengthen its capabilities, including anti-aircraft defence. Another €15 million is being committed to Moldova and Ukraine for recovery, through the World Bank; €1.5 million to the United Nations Development Programme for humanitarian demining in Ukraine; and €1.5 million for equipment and means of transport to strengthen Ukraine's capacities in the fight against crime and trafficking in arms and people.

The agreement also includes areas of cooperation in intelligence, training, demining, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. It extends and gives continuity to the efforts made by Spain since the beginning of the Russian aggression, including the reception of Ukrainian refugees, the training of Ukrainian troops on Spanish soil and collaboration in the search for an end to the conflict and a just and lasting peace based on international law.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, at the Moncloa Palace | Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In the same vein, the president reaffirmed his commitment to President Zelenski's Peace Formula on the eve of the peace summit to be held in Switzerland in mid-June. Sánchez stressed that peace can only be achieved by respecting international law, the United Nations Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. Spain fully supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within the limits of its borders, which have been internationally recognised since 1991.

In this regard, the President of the Government of Spain will continue to appeal to the international community to encourage other countries to actively support Ukraine and to take part in the implementation of its peace formula and, in particular, in the inaugural peace summit.

The reconstruction of the country is an aspect of great importance to which Spain is fully committed, in line with the principle of "building back better". It is likewise committed to the specific objective of reducing Ukraine's energy dependence and vulnerability and to fostering its green transition by taking part in development projects focused on energy efficiency and resilience, in particular decarbonisation measures. President Sánchez has therefore confirmed that Spain will also be present at the Summit on the Reconstruction of Ukraine that will take place in Berlin at the beginning of June.

This broad agreement also includes Spain's commitment to collaborate with Ukraine in its progress towards fulfilling the conditions of the EU accession process, from a merit-based approach, and in its aspirations for NATO membership.

The President of the Government reiterated that Ukraine can count on Spain in its pursuit of peace and in the defence of all the values and principles that unite us, adding that the Ukrainian attitude is "an inspiring example" for all those who believe in democracy and equality between states.

Non official translation