The Diplomat
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba yesterday presented the Yaroslav the Wise medal to his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares for “his support and defense of Ukraine and also of Europe”.
The presentation of the medal, the highest recognition of the Kyiv Government to personalities who have performed outstanding service to the State and the population of Ukraine, took place during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting, which began yesterday and concludes today in Bucharest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
During the presentation, Kuleba explained that the Government of his country awarded this medal to Albares for “his support and defense of Ukraine and also of Europe”, because “to defend Ukraine is to defend Europe”. The Ukrainian minister conveyed to Albares “the sincere gratitude” of President Volodimir Zelensky for “his tireless work”.
At the bilateral meeting, the two ministers also discussed the current war situation in Ukraine, following repeated Russian attacks on its basic infrastructure, and spoke about the conditions for “peace in accordance with the UN Charter”. Likewise, Albares reiterated to Kuleba the message of support and solidarity of the people and the Government of Spain to the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister thanked “all the efforts and help of Spain”. Both ministers recalled their last meeting during Albares’ visit to Kyiv in early November.
