Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed an agreement in Madrid on Monday that commits Spain to providing Ukraine with military assistance totaling 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) this year.
The 10-year pact outlines the supply of modern military equipment for ground, aerial, naval, and other applications, with a particular emphasis on the maritime capabilities necessary to safeguard food export routes and Ukraine’s capacity requirements. However, no further details were provided.
El País newspaper reported earlier on Monday that Spain would provide Ukraine with a dozen Patriot anti-aircraft missiles manufactured in the United States, 19 second-hand Leopard 2A4 tanks manufactured in Germany, and other Spanish-made weapons, including ammunition and anti-drone gear.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would exert pressure on its allies to acquire a minimum of seven additional Patriot launchers in order to defend itself.
“How do you fight that?” The number of air defense missiles available is insufficient to prevent the detonation of thousands of bombs each month. He also stated that partners who are hesitant to provide us with specific weapons should recognize that air defense is a defensive measure, not an offensive one.
Zelenskiy will meet with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. He is also expected to sign a similar 10-year agreement.
