Spain to send air defense and anti-drone systems to Ukraine
Photo: From open sources
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit held in southern Spain to discuss the unity of Europe and the ways to strengthen of the Ukrainian army.
Following the meeting, Zelensky said in a statement that the discussion with Sanchez was productive, Rubryka reports.
The Ukrainian leader also reported that Spain offered a new defense support package with additional air defense systems, artillery, and anti-drone systems.
Besides the military aid, Zelensky and Sanchez discussed the supply of energy equipment to Ukraine before the advent of winter, when Ukraine expects intensified Russian airstrikes on critical infrastructure and protection of the grain corridor in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian president also thanked Prime Minister Sanchez for supporting Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
"We are preparing to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU under Spain's presidency. Thank you for supporting our aspiration," said Zelensky.
Zelensky also thanked the entire Spanish society for supporting Ukrainians and condemning Russian aggression.
In his turn, Pedro Sanchez said the "solidarity, unity, and all the support" for Ukraine was noticeable only in the European governments but also in the societies of the European countries.
"I think that all Europeans support Volodymyr Zelensky and his country. And, of course, we are ready to support them until the end of this war," he said.
Sanchez added he was preparing a reform that would provide a financial groundwork for support in the coming years.
"We are very proud, and it is a great honor for us to see Volodymyr Zelensky here, in Granada, with us," he said.
What we know about European Political Community Summit held in Spain
Spain is hosting the third European Political Community Summit in Granada on October 5, with about 50 leaders — presidents, prime ministers, and the European Union representatives — expected to attend. It is the second time the leaders meet in the new European cooperation format initiated by France.
The first meeting of the European Political Community was held in October 2022, with the leaders mainly discussing the global energy crisis and Russia's war against Ukraine. At last year's summit, European leaders gathered to "foster political dialogue and cooperation" and strengthen the security of the European continent.
The second meeting of the European Political Community was held on June 1 in Moldova, near Chisinau. Then, 50 European leaders, presidents, and prime ministers assembled in the small Moldovan village of Bulboaca, located not far from the border of Russian-occupied Transnistria and only 22 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
President Zelensky arrived in Granada, Spain, to participate in the summit. During a press conference, journalists asked him if he was worried about the US delaying aid to Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader said that he heard assurances of Ukraine's full support from President Joe Biden and bipartisan support from the Congress.
