Albares conveys Spain's support for Ukraine ‘because we uphold democratic values’

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, expressed Spain's support for Ukraine in defending its freedom and sovereignty, following the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 18 December, in which the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, participated.

Minister Albares argued that European security is at stake, and that the European Union must respond by implementing a common defence that consolidates and strengthens the European pillar of NATO. He reiterated Spain's support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression against its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is also an attack on democracy and the European aspirations of the Ukrainian people, 'because Europe must also defend its democratic values with its own voice'.

European funding for Ukraine

Spain supported the agreement reached by the 27 Member States at the European Council whereby the European Union will provide Ukraine with an urgent and immediate loan of €90 billion over the next two years, financed through joint debt and guaranteed by the European budget.

Similarly, a few days ago, the Council approved the decision to permanently freeze Russian assets, a decision supported by Spain as a way to help Ukraine during the conflict and, subsequently, to rebuild the country, thus ensuring that Russia is held accountable for the damage caused.

Sustained support for Ukraine

Spain's support will include the delivery of a military aid package worth €615 million, which includes new defensive equipment worth approximately €300 million and is part of the bilateral security agreement between Spain and Ukraine. It will also include the transfer of €100 million to NATO's PURL initiative to finance the accelerated acquisition of air defence systems and the transfer of €215 million through the European Union's SAFE Instrument to fund the production of anti-drone systems, exploration radars and aerial surveillance, many of which have been developed by Spanish companies.

Similarly, Spain has also announced the deployment of a new financial support instrument, coordinated by the new Office for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, worth €200 million, which will serve to boost reconstruction and enable Spanish companies to participate directly and competitively in the reconstruction, modernisation and expansion of damaged infrastructure, with a special emphasis on sectors such as energy, transport and water management.

Spain continues to work on strengthening the Ukrainian electricity system, which is being targeted by Russian attacks and bombings. In addition to sending 70 generators to cope with the fourth winter of large-scale Russian aggression, Spain is negotiating a project to rebuild the central heating system in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

As Minister Albares has stated on several occasions, Spain has a long-term commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and defence of the people and Government of Ukraine for as long as this war of aggression lasts, standing by Ukraine from the outset and for as long as necessary.

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