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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