Albares conveys Spain’s “support and solidarity” with Ukraine to Zelensky and Sybiha in Kyiv

Eduardo González Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday, February 24, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian aggression. This is his fifth visit to the country since the 2022 invasion. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday, February 24, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian aggression. On this visit, his fifth to the country since the 2022 invasion, the head of Spanish diplomacy conveyed a "message of solidarity from the Spanish people to President Volodymyr Zelensky and his counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, until Ukraine wins and achieves peace." The objective of the visit, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is "to convey the solidarity of the Spanish Government and people and reiterate Spain's firm support in a context marked by continuous Russian attacks against urban areas, civilian infrastructure, and the Ukrainian energy system." “I am in Kyiv, where four years ago today an illegal invasion began that continues to cause death and destruction,” the minister wrote on social media upon his arrival in the Ukrainian capital. “I pay tribute to the victims and to all Ukrainians who defend their freedom and sovereignty,” he continued. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Albares stated that the purpose of his trip was to convey to Ukraine “a message of solidarity and support, support for as long as necessary during this unjust and unjustified war, as we have been doing so far, in every way we can.” “The message I have conveyed today to both President Zelensky and my colleague Andriy Sybiha is a message of solidarity from the Spanish people and a message of support, for as long as necessary, until Ukraine wins and achieves peace,” he continued. “But I have also conveyed a message of support and solidarity, not only for the duration of this war, but so that Ukraine may achieve peace, because that peace will come, and Spain will stand by Ukraine,” he continued. “I want to remind the Spanish people that, deep down, the true reason for this war, what Vladimir Putin cannot forgive Ukraine and the Ukrainians for, is their desire to be like us: a democratic, open, pluralistic, and tolerant country within the European Union. And Spain is there to help them, not only to withstand this unjust and unjustifiable war, but above all, to achieve peace, and that day will undoubtedly come,” he declared. However, he admitted, “at this moment, unfortunately, I see peace as a distant prospect” because “this is a one-man war, and the one who started it wants to continue it.” “Speaking with many Ukrainians on the street, the feeling is clearly one of great unrest. They no longer trust diplomacy, agreements, or negotiations. They say that all the back and forth is a constant game they're being played,” the minister asserted. “Today, driving through Kyiv, I could see how, since my last visit, the marks of war are much more visible—those rockets that, day and night, demonstrate that Vladimir Putin doesn't want to talk about peace, doesn't even want a ceasefire, and continues to subject the civilian population and its infrastructure to daily punishment,” Albares declared. Regarding the possible deployment of peacekeeping forces on the ground, the minister was emphatic: “At this time, sending troops is not on anyone's agenda, nor is Ukraine requesting it.” “Right now, what they are requesting are two very specific things: electric generators to alleviate the shortage of electricity and heating they are experiencing,” and “anti-aircraft defenses to defend themselves against the rockets that punish the civilian population night after night,” he added. [caption id="attachment_137807" align="alignnone" width="750"] Albares upon his arrival in Ukraine. / Photo: MAUC[/caption] Previous messages Albares released three more messages early Tuesday morning, marking the anniversary of the invasion: “Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Four years of death, violence, and pain. Four years of resistance and dignity from the Ukrainian people in the face of aggression. Four years of unwavering support from Spain,” he stated in the first. “The security of Europe and the kind of international order we want to build are also at stake in Ukraine. Defending Ukraine is also defending the values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity. We support a just and lasting peace that offers security to Ukraine,” he continued in the second. “We will continue to contribute to the humanitarian, political, and economic efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by the war and strengthen the country’s capacity to defend itself against aggression and undertake reconstruction. Spain stands with Ukraine,” he concluded in the third. This is the minister's fifth visit to Ukraine since 2022. The program includes his participation in anniversary commemorations, as well as a meeting with his counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, following their recent meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit comes at a particularly important time, marked by diplomatic efforts toward a just and lasting peace and the need to maintain international support in the face of the prolonged conflict. Spanish aid Since the beginning of the war, the press release continues, Spain has provided military, financial, and humanitarian aid, reaffirmed its commitment to the reconstruction of Ukraine and its integration into the European Union, advocated for accountability for violations of international law, and carried out extensive diplomatic activity in international organizations, multilateral forums, and with third countries. Furthermore, Spain is part of the G5+ group, along with the main European countries and the United Kingdom, which held a high-level meeting in Madrid in 2025. In the energy and humanitarian sectors, Spain maintains its commitment to the Ukrainian people, especially in the face of a particularly harsh winter. In February, six new high-capacity generators were donated, which will provide electricity to 14,000 people and mitigate the impact of attacks on civilian infrastructure. This contribution is in addition to the shipment of 70 generators in October 2025. Regarding defense, Spain continues to provide support, as demonstrated by the recent air defense assistance package. In 2025, Spain was the eighth largest contributor of military aid and the fourth largest contributor of training and education. During Spain's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023, the text continues, negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU were formally initiated. Furthermore, since 2022, Spain has granted temporary protection to 240,000 Ukrainian citizens, in addition to the more than 115,000 already residing in Spain before the start of the war. In his address this Monday in Brussels before the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), the minister argued that the special European loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine should be operational as soon as possible. Spain also supports the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia. “We must help Ukraine not only to defend itself, but to achieve peace: a just and lasting peace based on respect for its sovereignty, guaranteeing that this is the last aggression it suffers,” he stated. “Vladimir Putin cannot forgive Ukraine for wanting to be a democracy, a pluralistic, open, and tolerant society; for wanting to be part of the European Union,” he added. “There are no signs of escalation” The minister traveled overnight. Speaking to Radio Nacional de España (RNE) from the train, just forty kilometers from Kyiv, Albares warned that “the peace agreement that one day comes to Ukraine will not only shape the future of the Ukrainian people, but will also largely define the future security framework of Europe,” because in Ukraine, “our values of pluralism, democracy, and tolerance” are being defended. The minister also stated that there are no signs of an escalation of the conflict. “There is already a large-scale war; that is enough. Nothing indicates that this will escalate to this level,” nor that Russia has the capacity to expand it, he added. Albares criticized Hungary's veto of the latest sanctions package at Monday's EU Council meeting. "I don't understand this position at a time when what we need is unity," he declared. He added that the €90 billion loan, which Viktor Orban's government also opposes, "is necessary to support Ukraine, not just to buy weapons, but to pay the doctors who are saving lives, to maintain the energy system, and for essential humanitarian aid." To mark the anniversary, other European leaders have also traveled to Ukraine, including the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is participating remotely in the meeting of the Coalition of Volunteers for Ukraine on Tuesday.

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