Pedro Sánchez has reiterated to Zelenskyy the admiration of the Spanish people for the example of dignity and resistance with which he and his people "are defending freedom and democracy" in the face of Russia's brutal aggression.
During his speech, the president of the Government of Spain stressed that "Spain supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. I call on Putin to come to the negotiating table in earnest and to put an end to the war".
The human tragedy unleashed by Putin's war was another issue addressed by the two leaders. Currently, there are already more than 4.2 million refugees, more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons and 12 million Ukrainians in need of humanitarian assistance. Spain has received 75,000 Ukrainians, of whom 40,000 already have temporary protection and another 35,000 are in the process of obtaining it.
Zelenskyy's address to the Lower House of Parliament
President Zelenskyy recalled that Ukrainians, who have been suffering from Putin's war for 42 days, want peace and a country without dictatorship. Zelenskyy detailed that Russia is attacking the values on which the European Union is based, such as democracy and human rights, family security and the right of Ukrainians to have a future.
During their speeches, both presidents referred to the attacks on the civilian population in Ukraine, such as those in Mariupol and Bucha. Sánchez insisted: "We never thought we would again see horrifying images of bombings and killings of innocent civilians on European soil. These are war crimes that we cannot allow to go unpunished". For this reason, Spain is among the 40 countries that have requested an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
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Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo
During his speech, the Ukrainian president also thanked Spanish society for its solidarity and the Government of Spain's support for the sanctions against Russia. "Spain, the European Union and many other countries in the international community support Ukraine and we will continue to do so", said Sánchez, who stressed that Spanish society "has once again set an example of solidarity". Our country, committed to refugees,
continues its work in the reception centers in Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga that have been set up for this purpose.
In March, Ukraine submitted its application for EU membership. Pedro Sánchez insisted that Ukraine will have Spain's support on the road to transformation and adaptation because "the future of Ukraine is Europe".
The president of the Government of Spain concluded his speech by sending a message of support to the President and the Ukrainian people: "President Zelenskyy, count on Spain to deal with this tragic aggression and its consequences. Spain is and always will be with the Ukrainian people".