Zelenskyy invokes Guernica bombing in speech to Spain’s parliament

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Spanish parliament on Tuesday and compared the devastation and destruction in parts of Ukraine to one of the darkest chapters of Spain’s modern history.

“We are in April 2022, but it feels like April 1937, when everyone saw the tragedy of Guernica,” he said in a video address.

The bombing of Guernica in Basque Country was one of the first aerial bombings of a city to provoke horror around the world and inspired a famous anti-war painting by Pablo Picasso.

“Imagine a city where 100,000 don’t have access to water or medicine because the Russian army is blocking it. That’s Mariupol, where only ruins remain. Around 90% of buildings there have been destroyed and people have been found dead in their homes. Russia is bombing buildings where they know women and children are living,” he said.

Throughout his speech, Zelenskyy thanked Spain for its support but asked for harsher sanctions, more weapons and political support.

“I am asking you because I know you’ll understand our pain and suffering,” he said.

He also called out Spanish companies, including massive ceramic tile manufacturer, Porcelanosa, for continuing to do business in Russia.

“In Europe, everyone should stop being scared, they should be strong and put values of democracy over Russian threats,” he added.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed parliament after Zelenskyy’s speech and announced that Spain supports Ukraine's EU candidacy.

“Ukraine’s hope is for Europe, but I should also tell you, President Zelenskyy, that today, Europe’s hope resides in Ukraine,” said Sanchez. “You are an example of dignity and resistance … in a fight against Russia’s tyrannical regime.”

Sanchez also called Russia’s actions in Ukraine “war crimes that cannot go unpunished” and promised to continue sending humanitarian and military aid.