In Madrid, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez have signed a bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Security.
The document commits Spain to support Ukraine as much as necessary for the restoration of its territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of 1991. Specifically, this year, Spain will provide Ukraine with 1 billion euros in military assistance. Furthermore, Spain's readiness to continue providing comprehensive support throughout the ten-year term of the agreement is recorded.
Spain supports Ukraine's Future Forces Initiative and has joined several capability coalitions within the Defense Contact Group of Ukraine, including "Integrated Air and Missile Defense," "Artillery," "Armor," "Maritime Security," "Information Technology," and "Demining," which will strengthen Ukraine and improve its operational compatibility with NATO.
Spain will continue to support the development of Ukraine's security and defense forces, provide modern military equipment in various spheres, support medical training and prosthetics for Ukrainian military personnel, and enhance Ukraine's maritime security. Bilateral security cooperation will deepen in intelligence, combating organized crime, and in the defense industry, including exploring opportunities for joint production and identifying potential sources of financing needed for the development of Ukraine's defense industry base.
The agreement also covers humanitarian aid, economic recovery and reconstruction, support for Ukrainian reforms on the path to EU and NATO membership. Separate sections of the document address support for the Ukrainian peace formula, strengthening sanctions against the Russian Federation, implementing a mechanism for compensation for damages, and holding the aggressor accountable.
Spain becomes the tenth country with which Ukraine has concluded a bilateral security agreement to implement the provisions of the Joint Declaration adopted by Ukraine and members of the G7 in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. In total, 32 states have already joined the Joint Declaration. Prior to this, Ukraine signed bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, and Latvia.
