Eduardo González
The presence of the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, in Granada yesterday became the main protagonist of the third meeting of the European Political Community, in which the Ukrainian president received the unanimous support of the half-centennial of European heads of State and Government. in the face of Russian aggression and had the opportunity to meet bilaterally with the main European leaders, including King Felipe VI and the acting President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who promised to send new anti-aircraft and anti-drone systems and new security equipment. destined for Ukraine.
The third meeting of the European Political Community, which preceded the summit of EU heads of state and government this Friday and which included notable absences, such as the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the prime minister of Azerbaijan . , Ilham Alyiev, began with a plenary session in which the current conflicts affecting the European continent were addressed and in which the centenary of heads of State or Government sent a message of unity against Russia and support for Ukraine.
Among those attending was the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu (Spain is one of the few countries that does not recognize the independence of this former Serbian province), who assured at a press conference that the independence of her country is “an irreversible reality.” ». She »and, therefore, encouraged Spain to recognize it, taking into account the Spanish interest in the prosperity and stability of the Western Balkans.
During his speech before the plenary session, Pedro Sánchez reiterated – in his dual capacity as leader of the host country and acting president of the EU – Spain’s “firm” commitment to “continue taking steps so that the talks can be formally opened.” for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, awaiting the report from the European Commission that must rule on compliance with the requirements established in the treaties and on the progress of the reforms carried out by the Government of Ukraine.
Likewise, he assured, “despite the enormous distance, even physical, that separates us (in express reference to the 4,000 kilometers between Granada and Kyiv), our vocation for unity in the face of Russian aggression is even stronger,” as so is the “will to cooperate against Putin’s imperialism” and the “commitment to dialogue, peace, stability and the security of Europe against the unjustified use of force.” “This European Political Community is an expression of a shared desire and collaboration to build the Europe of the future, regardless of our position on the continent, whether or not we are members of the European Union,” he added.
For his part, Zelensky warned before the plenary session that the greatest challenge at the moment is “saving unity in Europe, not only of the EU countries, but of all of Europe,” and insisted on the importance it has for Ukraine “ have a protective shield for the winter.” “Together we have defended Ukraine, Europe is more independent from Russia than ever,” said Zelensky, who also called for continuing to pressure the Kremlin with more political and economic sanctions so that it cannot continue “spreading chaos.”
In the same plenary session, the president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, highlighted the “strong support that the European Political Community gives to Ukraine” and the “strong message there is for Putin: we do not tolerate aggression against a sovereign State.” , and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed their confidence that “this meeting, under the Spanish Presidency, will be the occasion to bring the European continent closer to common objectives, stability, prosperity and security.”
After the opening plenary, four round tables will be held to address three topics: digitalization, ecological transition, multilateralism and geostrategy. The press conference after the event was finally canceled due to the departure of the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, since the organizers’ objective was to have the presence of the leader of the next organizing country, the United Kingdom.
Zelensky with Sánchez and the King
After these open discussions, bilateral meetings between European leaders began. In the case of Zelensky, the Ukrainian president was received first by Pedro Sánchez, who conveyed “his support for a just and lasting peace, based on International Law and the principles of the United Nations Charter” and reiterated “Spain’s support on Ukraine’s path towards the European Union,” according to Moncloa.
During the meeting, the two presidents addressed the current situation of the conflict and Sánchez assured him that Spain will continue to help Ukraine “defend its cities, its energy infrastructure and its ports” and offered, in this sense, new anti-aircraft and anti-drone systems. as well as specialized training in this area for Ukrainian soldiers, and new demining equipment. In this regard, the Government of Spain assured that it will make six new Hawk anti-aircraft missile launchers available to Ukraine (there are already twelve) to face possible Russian bombings against civilian targets and critical infrastructure, as well as for the defense of the new grain corridor.
Pedro Sánchez also held bilateral meetings in Granada with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo; the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovačevski; the president of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic; and the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Svetlana Tijanóvskaya.
For his part, Zelensky reported, through his official account on the social network anti-drone”, and the beginning of “Ukraine’s accession talks to the EU during the Spanish Presidency of the EU”. “I appreciate Spain’s support for our aspirations,” he declared. “We also discussed measures to provide Ukraine with energy equipment as winter approaches, as well as the operation of the grain corridor,” he added. “I thank the President of the Government and Spanish society for all the support and clear condemnation of Russian aggression,” he concluded.
One of the most anticipated moments of the Granada summit was Zekenski’s meeting with King Felipe VI, the Monarch’s first meeting with the Ukrainian president. The meeting took place just before the reception for the heads of State and Government attending the Third Summit of the European Political Community in Granada, which was followed by a visit to the Alhambra and an honorary dinner offered by the Kings to the half a hundred leaders.
Volodymyr Zelensky also met in Granada with Charles Michel, whom he thanked for the recent meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, for its “important symbolic and practical significance” and to whom he informed about the Ukrainian counteroffensive and the priority defense needs of Ukraine. “We count on increased military aid from the EU and its Member States, as well as stable support within the European Peace Fund,” he declared. “We also discussed the Peace Formula and our preparations for the Global Peace Summit,” he added.
Likewise, he held bilateral meetings with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, whose country is preparing to provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot system for the winter months and to whom he thanked “Germany’s support in the defense of our freedom and our people.” ; with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, before whom he defended the need to “strengthen the air defense of Ukraine, as well as the security of the Odessa and Black Sea region, essential to guarantee European and global stability”; and with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, whom he thanked for Italy’s “coherent support” for Ukraine and this country’s willingness “to assume leadership in the recovery of Odessa,” and with whom he discussed “the next package.” of military aid from Italy” and about the next Italian presidency of the G7, among whose priorities, he recalled, is support for Ukraine.
Zelensky also met with Rishi Sunak, with whom he discussed “efforts to ensure lasting global support for Ukraine” and grain export routes. Both also agreed “on the need to protect freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.” “Ukraine and the United Kingdom will continue and expand defense cooperation,” declared the Ukrainian president through the X network.
