Robles in Ukraine: 'Their cause is our cause. Spain will always stand for peace and democratic values'

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, participates in a tribute to the fallen in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, has begun an official trip to Ukraine, where she stated that "Ukraine is now part of Spain." With these words, the Minister for Defence emphasised the support that Spain has been offering since the very beginning of the war.

"An unjust war", said the defence minister, who, along with the Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence, Serhii Bolev, began her official engagements in Kyiv with a tribute to the fallen at the Memorial Wall in Mykhailivska Square, which "reflects the cruelty of these four years, during which we have never stopped standing by the Ukrainian people."

A commitment and close relationship that is evident in the constant contact and collaboration with the members of the Border Guard, to whom Robles expressed her appreciation. During their meeting, the Ukrainians assessed the evolution of the war in recent times, which currently involves the development of unmanned aerial systems capabilities, both for interception and reconnaissance.

So far this year alone, the Border Guard has intercepted 4,000 drones, compared to approximately 1,300 in 2025.

However, despite the increase in these capabilities, Ukraine continues to require material support such as that which Spain sends regularly. During this visit, the minister announced the delivery of a significant number of tactical armoured vehicles. This shipment will begin with the first units at the beginning of May and will be complemented by 155mm calibre ammunition.

This collaboration demonstrates our country's commitment to defending democratic values, freedom, and a just and lasting peace," said Robles, who travelled with the Secretary General for Defence Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez.

This April, Spain will surpass the figure of 9,000 Ukrainian military personnel trained on its soil, within the framework of the European Union's Military Assistance Mission. Also noteworthy is the humanitarian dimension of Spanish support, with the accommodation of Ukrainian combatant families in military residences, thus complementing the strictly military aid.

Non official translation