Spain supports strengthening of Ukraine’s political participation in NATO – Sanchez

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sign a joint declaration of support for Ukraine and its European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Spain supports the strengthening of Ukraine's political participation in the North Atlantic Alliance through the creation of a NATO-Ukraine Council and practical cooperation in the defense sector.

I am grateful for the support of our accession to NATO. It is now an obvious fact: the wider NATO is in Europe, the wider the space of peace and protection will be. Our joint statement with Mr. Prime Minister in support of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations clearly states that security for Europe is our common priority. Our statement today is already the 21st act of support from NATO member, which is the majority, Zelensky said.

Ukraine is counting on Spain's support during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, he added.

Ukraine is convinced that today there are all the grounds to invite it to join NATO. It would be a very important signal that peace and security in Europe have no and will never have any alternatives, the President explained.

The joint agreement states, among other things, that Spain reaffirms its support for Ukraine's accession to the EU, which will be one of the priorities of its EU presidency. The Spanish side expressed its readiness to take an active part in the restoration of Ukraine.

Spain also declared its support for Ukraine's movement to NATO.

Spain supports the strengthening of NATO's partnership with Ukraine, in particular through the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council as a platform to further strengthen and expand ongoing cooperation in order to facilitate Ukraine's path to the Euro-Atlantic family in accordance with the Bucharest Declaration. Spain reaffirms its support for NATO's Open Door Policy in line with NATO's Strategic Concept 2022 and the Madrid Summit Declaration," the agreement reads.

Ukraine and Spain expect these issues to be resolved at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July.

On July 1, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez is on a visit to Ukraine, where he has already addressed the Verkhovna Rada and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.