The Diplomat
The acting Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, received yesterday, at a ceremony held at the Ukrainian Embassy, the ‘Distinction of Honour’ awarded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in recognition of Spain’s “solid and constant” support since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Robles thanked the Ukrainian ambassador to Ukraine, Serhii Pohoreltsev, who also acknowledged the work of the Secretary General for Defence Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, and the Director General for Defence Policy, Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo, for the distinction.
“It was a very emotional event and I would like to thank the Minister of Defence and the entire Ukrainian government. It is an honour for me,” said Robles in her speech, adding that she wants this to be “a recognition for all Ukrainian citizens”, some of whom “have lost everything”.
The acting Minister of Defence reiterated to the ambassador that the link between Spain and Ukraine is “unquestionable”, and that this will be expressed at the Informal Ministerial Meeting of Defence and Foreign Ministers to be held from 29 to 31 August in Toledo as part of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
“Once again we will show our support and solidarity with Ukraine in all areas: humanitarian, military and political,” said Robles. “It must be very clear that Ukraine is defending itself and working for peace, that there is only one person responsible, Putin, and I hope that very soon he will be able to sit before an international criminal court to pay for all the atrocities he is committing.
For his part, Ambassador Pohoreltsev highlighted Spain’s “solid and constant” support since the beginning of the Russian aggression and stressed that “on a political level, Spain has demonstrated its leadership and coherence in promoting all international initiatives focused on condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine”.
The ambassador assured that Spain is one of the countries “contributing to the victory of Ukraine in different ways and in various areas”, highlighting the sending of material, the training of Ukrainian combatants in Spanish military facilities – which will reach 3,000 this year – and the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Three of the 60 wounded soldiers were present at the event, which was also attended by General Juan Antonio Lara Garrido, director of the General Defence Hospital in Zaragoza, where the combatants are recovering from particularly serious trauma and amputations.
Robles insisted that Spain will remain by Ukraine’s side, defending the cause of “peace, democracy and freedom”, and that the government in office will continue to work “firmly on an international projection committed to these values”. “Hopefully we will soon be able to turn the page, but in the meantime Spain will always be united and linked to Ukraine, its pain will be our pain and its desire to triumph will also be ours”, concluded Robles.
