Pedro Sánchez announces in Kyiv a new military assistance package for Ukraine worth €1 billion in 2025

Kyiv (Ukraine)

Heads of State gathered at the plenary session of the International Summit in Support of Ukraine (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has travelled to Kyiv to take part in the International Summit in support of Ukraine, which marks three years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.. Pedro Sánchez attended in person in order to reaffirm Spain's support for Ukraine.

Before the start of the summit, Pedro Sánchez took part in a commemorative act at the Monument to the Fallen, to pay tribute to the victims of the conflict together with the other leaders and personalities. The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commissioners and the President of the European Council, António Costa, also attended.

International leaders during a ceremony to commemorate those killed in the Russian-Ukrainian war | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

During the plenary session, the President of the Government of Spain reiterated Spain's condemnation of the war waged by Putin against Ukraine, reiterating that this aggression has been, from the outset, a systematic violation of the most basic principles of humanity. "The war crimes committed by Putin's regime cannot go unpunished," he stressed.

"We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary," Pedro Sánchez stressed. In this regard, it has announced a new military assistance package for Ukraine worth 1 billion euros in 2025; a financial package that is part of the Bilateral Security and Defence Agreement and that comes in addition to the 1 billion in addition to the more than €1 billion granted last year. The 10-year agreement, signed in May 2024, covers areas such as humanitarian assistance, reconstruction of the country and the search for a just and lasting peace based on international law.

The President of the Government of Spain stressed that Spain will work "side by side" with Ukraine in its reconstruction, creating the necessary structures to promote this process, and encouraging Spanish companies to actively participate in the reconstruction efforts.

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Spain has provided unprecedented assistance to Ukraine. €100 million for humanitarian action in Ukraine between February 2022 and the end of 2024, and an additional €10 million has been announced. In addition, it has provided €400 million in financial assistance for reconstruction, as well as the delivery of military equipment and the training of nearly 7,000 Ukrainian military personnel under the EUAM mission.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon his arrival at the meeting | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In order to continue attending to and supporting the needs of the Ukrainian diaspora, Pedro Sánchez has announced that Spain and Ukraine will establish the 'Casa de Ucrania' in Torrevieja, Alicante, a centre dedicated to attending to the various needs of the Ukrainian community in Spain.

"Spain is committed to the full sovereignty of Ukraine. Only Ukraine can decide on its future," the president said. In this regard, he stressed that Spain welcomes all efforts aimed at achieving peace, reiterating that peace must be achieved through a just, sustainable and comprehensive agreement. For this to happen, the president emphasised, the agreement must be endorsed by Ukraine, involve Europe and go beyond a simple ceasefire. "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and nothing about European security without Europe".

Group photo of the international leaders who attended the summit | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Pedro Sánchez also stressed the importance of Ukraine's early accession to the European Union, saying that its accession was the most important victory for the Ukrainian people. The President of the Government of Spain insisted that our country "admires the courage with which the Ukrainians are defending freedom and democracy, an example of dignity and resistance in the face of the brutal aggression of Putin's regime". "Ukraine's hope is in Europe, but Europe's hope is also in Ukraine," added the president. "There are still difficult months ahead, but I believe that at the end of this terrible period, freedom and democracy will prevail over the logic of violence and authoritarianism".

Non official translation