Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on Sunday, focusing on enhanced military cooperation, joint defence production, and Ukraine’s bid to begin European Union accession talks.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Shmyhal expressed gratitude for Spain’s ongoing support, noting that total assistance from Madrid has now surpassed €2 billion ($2.3 billion). He highlighted the strategic importance of Spanish-supplied air defence systems in intercepting Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
“Our Spanish partners have played a crucial role in strengthening our air defences,” Shmyhal said. “But the need remains urgent — we are requesting additional systems and proposing joint production of drones and other defence technologies.”
The Ukrainian premier emphasized the need for innovative solutions to counter daily Russian drone strikes targeting key civilian and energy infrastructure. Discussions included launching collaborative projects for producing drones and military equipment, as Ukraine continues to push for greater defence-industrial cooperation with NATO and EU member states.
The leaders also addressed Ukraine’s long-term recovery from the ongoing conflict. Shmyhal reiterated that confiscated and frozen Russian assets should serve as a “key financial resource” for rebuilding efforts, a position Kyiv continues to advocate for in international forums.
On the diplomatic front, Shmyhal voiced optimism about Ukraine’s path toward EU membership, stating that Kyiv expects a political decision on opening accession talks by the end of 2025. Spain has consistently supported Ukraine’s European aspirations, including during its presidency of the EU Council in 2023.
The meeting comes amid renewed international focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and efforts to bolster its defence capabilities, particularly as Russian drone and missile attacks intensify during the summer campaign.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariffs have come into effect, hours after the Supreme Court blocked many of his sweeping import taxes in a 6–3 ruling. Allies around the world are weighing possible retaliation, while markets brace for further upheaval.
Torrential downpours have triggered deadly mudslides and widespread flooding in southern Peru, leaving at least seventeen people dead - including fifteen killed in a military helicopter crash - as hundreds of districts across the country remain under a state of emergency.
The U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been banned from meeting members of the French government after not showing up at the Foreign Affairs ministry, where he had been summoned over comments on the killing of a French far-right activist last week, diplomatic sources said on Monday.
Thailand and the United States, alongside 28 partner nations, began Southeast Asia’s largest and longest-running military exercise, the 45th Cobra Gold, on Tuesday (24 February) in Rayong province, Thailand.
Italy said a fond farewell to the Winter Olympics on Sunday with an open-air ceremony in the ancient Verona Arena that celebrated art and sporting achievement at a Games lauded as a model for how to stage such events.
The United States and Iran will hold a new round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Thursday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a potential agreement, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced on Sunday.
Further Iran-U.S. nuclear talks are scheduled in Geneva on Thursday (26 February) as diplomacy resumes over Tehran’s nuclear programme following earlier mediation efforts. But will the talks move Iran-U.S. negotiations closer to a deal, and what should be expected from the meeting?
Mexican authorities said on Sunday that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho and head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco.
Syria has secured a $50 million financing package from the World Bank to support transport infrastructure projects as the country advances its economic recovery efforts, Syrian media reported on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariffs have come into effect, hours after the Supreme Court blocked many of his sweeping import taxes in a 6–3 ruling. Allies around the world are weighing possible retaliation, while markets brace for further upheaval.
Torrential downpours have triggered deadly mudslides and widespread flooding in southern Peru, leaving at least seventeen people dead - including fifteen killed in a military helicopter crash - as hundreds of districts across the country remain under a state of emergency.
The U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been banned from meeting members of the French government after not showing up at the Foreign Affairs ministry, where he had been summoned over comments on the killing of a French far-right activist last week, diplomatic sources said on Monday.
Thailand and the United States, alongside 28 partner nations, began Southeast Asia’s largest and longest-running military exercise, the 45th Cobra Gold, on Tuesday (24 February) in Rayong province, Thailand.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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