Spain, Ukraine set to strengthen defense ties with bilateral agreement

MADRID (AA) - Spain and Ukraine are poised to sign a bilateral agreement, according to sources from the Spanish government who spoke to the Spanish news agency EFE on Monday.

The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for an official visit to Madrid in the coming days, where discussions are expected to culminate in the signing of the agreement.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Zelenskyy will oversee the signing ceremony, solidifying commitments to defense and security cooperation between the two nations.

The upcoming agreement follows a recent phone call between Sanchez and Zelenskyy on May 7, during which the leaders affirmed their intention to convene in Madrid for this purpose.

Zelensky's last visit to Spain was in October 2023, coinciding with the European Political Community meeting held in Granada.

Meanwhile, addressing questions during a press conference on Monday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares declined to specify the exact timing of Zelenskyy's arrival in Madrid, citing security concerns.

Albares reaffirmed Spain's stance on Russia's occupation of Ukraine, labeling it as "unjust," and pledged continued support for Ukraine across all fronts.

In addition to the forthcoming agreement, reports circulating in the Spanish media and corroborated by government sources indicate Spain's intention to provide Patriot missiles to Ukraine.