Eduardo González
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares spoke on Tuesday, December 30, with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, to discuss the recent massive Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and express his wish that “2026 will finally be a year of peace for the Ukrainian people.”
“I spoke with my Ukrainian counterpart, my friend Andrii Sybiha,” Albares wrote on social media. “I wished him that 2026 will finally be a year of peace for the Ukrainian people,” he continued. “I reiterated my condemnation of the recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities,” he added.
“It is unacceptable that Ukrainians have to spend Christmas under bombs.” “I have assured him of our support in the negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he said.
“Europe must remain united and firm because the future of European security is at stake. Ukraine must have strong security guarantees.” “Any decision about its future, especially regarding its territories, can only be made by the Ukrainian people,” he concluded.
“I had a good call with my Spanish colleague and friend, José Manuel Albares,” Andrii Sybiha wrote on social media. “We discussed the frontline situation and consequences of Russia’s recent massive attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and civilians,” he explained.
“I emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and energy resilience amid Russia’s escalation of terror,” Sybiha stated. “I briefed my colleague on the latest developments in the peace process and underlined Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a fair and lasting peace based on transatlantic unity,” because “this is a crucial moment to mobilize our collective efforts to restore security in Europe,” he warned. “Grateful to Spain for its comprehensive support and to my counterpart for the assurance of unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian people,” he concluded.
Albares condemned the “new massive attacks” this past weekend. Russia’s attacks against energy facilities and residential areas in Ukraine,” and Andrii Sybiha thanked Spain for its “unconditional support” in the face of these “war crimes.” Russia launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks, including Kinschal hypersonic missiles, against Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure on Saturday, ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting took place on Sunday in Florida, and the two leaders discussed the 20-point peace plan proposed by Washington. At the end of the meeting, Trump declared that the parties were “much” closer to an agreement. Minutes before the meeting, Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
