Pedro Sánchez argues in Munich that nuclear rearmament is not the way forward and reiterates the need to create a European army

The President of the Government of Spain has argued that nuclear rearmament is not the right path, highlighting the uncertainty that AI adds to the global landscape and urging countries to sign a new START treaty.

Munich (Germany)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, speaks at the Munich Security Conference (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has taken part in the Munich Security Conference, marking Spain's first time attending this forum, which addressed growing global instability. This 62nd edition was attended by approximately 40 heads of state and government.

The President spoke on the panel entitled: "On Par? Fortifying the Foundation of Transatlantic Security" where he warned of the threat posed by Putin, including to Spain, and emphasised the need for him to cease his attacks.

The president argued that nuclear rearmament is not the right way to develop deterrent capabilities and, appealing to the danger it represents-especially given the uncertainty posed by artificial intelligence as an added factor-has urged the signing of a new START Treaty to guarantee the continuity of the one that has just expired. "Nuclear deterrence demands zero errors", stated Pedro Sánchez, asserting that, consequently, "it is not a guarantee but a dangerous gamble". In this regard, the President of the Government of Spain stressed the need for nuclear powers to sit down, negotiate, and halt a new arms race.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, was among the speakers at the round table on transatlantic security held at the summit| Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Pedro Sánchez also conveyed the need for a real European army to be created. "Not in ten years' time, but now", he affirmed, stating that Spain will contribute all necessary resources. He also pointed out the need to develop European defence capabilities to guarantee security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as to offer security guarantees to international allies.

Reinforcing the position that advocates for strengthening the multilateral system and enhancing the capabilities of global institutions that have maintained global peace for decades, president Sánchez highlighted that Spain's defence spending has tripled in recent years, in addition to doubling the number of soldiers deployed on NATO missions.

In the subsequent discussion with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and US Democratic Senator Christopher A. Coons, President Sánchez focused on developing the defence industry in Europe to strengthen autonomy by supporting the reinforcement of the European defence pillar within NATO.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, presents the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, with a copy of Don Quixote in Spanish| Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

On the sidelines of this forum, the President of the Government of Spain met with the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom.

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• Government of Spain
• NATO
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