In an exclusive interview with Kiev-based TV channel Antena 3, Sánchez said he was responding to a request from Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski to promote Spain during his EU presidency in the second half of 2023.
“There are some requirements that President Zelenskiy tells me will be met by Brussels (headquarters of the EU executive), and if so, we will be happy to support Ukraine’s short-term accession to our group,” he said.
During the conversation with Antena 3 and also separately with other Spanish media such as RTVE and Cadena SER, he indicated that he would consider Ukraine’s legitimate request for air assistance, “according to the military capabilities at the disposal of the Ministry of Defense and in Coordination with allied countries and within the EU”.
At the same time, he reiterated the executive branch’s determination to send 10 Leopard tanks, all within the framework of “military defense work,” as Ukraine has promised.
In another assignment, Sánchez indicated that Spain, as the current and future holder of the community bloc, will closely monitor efforts initiated by China to draw up a peace plan to end the war with Russia.
jcm/ft