Spain Commits USD 1 Billion in Military Aid to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense

Spain Commits USD 1 Billion in Military Aid to Strengthen Ukraine's Defense/Zelenskyy@X

Dil Bar Irshad | May 28, 2024 | 09:33 AM IST | Ukraine, World | Follow on Google News

Spain Commits USD 1 Billion in Military Aid to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense

Spain Commits USD 1 Billion in Military Aid to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense

Key Highlights:

1. Spain pledges $1.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
2. The aid package focuses on air defense and military equipment.
3. Ukraine continues to seek more air defense systems from allies.

Spain has pledged USD 1.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russia’s invasion, Al Jazeera reports. The commitment was formalized through a security agreement signed in Madrid by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. The agreement includes a 1 billion euro commitment in military aid for 2024 and plans to supply modern military equipment for various uses, including ground, aerial, and naval operations. It also emphasizes protecting sea routes crucial for Ukraine’s food exports.

Prime Minister Sanchez highlighted that the aid package aims to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities, particularly its essential air defense systems, to protect civilians and infrastructure from Russian attacks. He referenced the recent strike in Kharkiv, which resulted in 16 fatalities, as an example of the ongoing threat. Sanchez noted that Spain had previously pledged Patriot missiles but stressed the need for Ukraine’s allies to provide the systems to launch these missiles.

President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Spain’s support and emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air defense. He stated that Ukraine requires at least seven more Patriot missile launchers to defend against the extensive use of guided aerial bombs by Russian forces, which have numbered about 3,200 this month alone.

In addition to Spain, Zelenskyy has secured bilateral security agreements with several other countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These agreements aim to further support Ukraine’s defense needs. Following his visit to Madrid, Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Lisbon to meet with Portuguese leaders and sign a similar 10-year security agreement.

This ongoing international support underscores the global commitment to aiding Ukraine as it contends with the persistent Russian aggression.

Source: ANI

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.