The Diplomat
The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, yesterday held a working videoconference conversation with her Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, to whom she announced the next shipment of the material necessary to increase, in September, the air defense capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
During the videoconference, which took place from the Torrejón de Ardoz air base in Madrid, Minister Umerov provided updated information on the situation on the ground, as well as the most urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as reported by the Ministry of Defense in a press release.
For her part, Robles highlighted the important progress in the training of Ukrainian military personnel, which has already benefited 5,000 soldiers, and detailed the upcoming shipments of military material.
Specifically, the minister announced to Minister Umerov the next shipment of the necessary material so that Ukraine has a fully operational Hawk anti-aircraft battery in September, which increases the air defense capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The minister has also highlighted to her counterpart the humanitarian aspect of Spanish support, which is reflected in actions such as help so that orphans and relatives of Ukrainian soldiers can enjoy a few days in Spain, facilitating transportation from Poland.
Finally, Umerov sincerely thanked the “important and unconditional” Spanish support, which has always provided fully operational material, which actively contributes to the defense of Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression, the press release concluded.
On May 27, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensk, signed in Madrid the Security Cooperation Agreement between Spain and Ukraine, based on which our country undertakes to send Kyiv a military aid package valued at 1,129 million euros.
The agreement, similar to that signed by Ukraine with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark or Canada, will ensure sustained military support (delivery of weapons and training of troops) in the long term. In the case of Spain, the agreement – valid for ten years – involves the supply of military equipment (Patriot missiles, Leopard battle tanks, or Spanish-made products, such as artillery projectiles, anti-drone systems and portable rocket launchers) valued at 1,129 million euros in 2024 alone.
The aid will be extended to 5,000 million euros in three years and a good part of the military material will be manufactured by Spanish companies, such as TRC, Indra, Escribano, Uro, Expal or Instalaza. In addition, the agreement also includes humanitarian aid, economic recovery and reconstruction and support for Ukrainian reforms on the path to accession to the EU and NATO.
