The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to Ukraine this Friday with the delivery, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), of 70 electric generators. These will help address the severe shortage of energy infrastructure, largely destroyed by ongoing Russian attacks.
“As Ukraine faces its fourth winter of this conflict, we are sending 70 electric generators, donated by Spain via AECID”, Minister Albares said at the handover ceremony alongside Ukraine's Ambassador to Spain, Yuliia Sokolovska. This delivery will enable the population to have access to electricity, lighting, and heating—essential resources for coping with the cold winter temperatures. “In these circumstances, Spain will stand resolutely with Ukraine in the face of the unjustifiable aggression it has endured for three and a half years, offering unwavering support for as long as it is needed”, the minister stressed.
Restoration of energy services
The delivery responds to the urgent request made by Ukrainian authorities to Spain on 8 October, aimed at restoring energy services to ensure the population’s survival as the cold season approaches. In Albares’ words, “With this donation, we aim to help the people of Ukraine face what promises to be a very difficult winter, given the recent Russian attacks on key energy facilities and other critical infrastructure—attacks that have been particularly intense over the past two months”.
Each of the 70 generators to be delivered by AECID has a capacity of around 7 kVA and can operate in both single-phase and three-phase modes, providing significant versatility. These generators will be distributed primarily in the Sumy region, located in northeastern Ukraine, which has a population of over 250,000 and has been particularly affected by the Russian offensive in recent weeks. During the coldest months, temperatures in the area range from a maximum of -5 °C to a minimum of -12 °C.
Commitment to Ukraine
Since the conflict began four years ago, Spain, through AECID and in partnership with decentralised cooperation (regional and local authorities), has allocated over €110 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukraine. “This represents an unprecedented effort; Spanish Cooperation has never before disbursed a humanitarian aid package of this scale”, the minister pointed out. This aid has been channelled across
various areas, including support for internally displaced persons, humanitarian demining, the provision of electric generators, the equipping and rehabilitation of schools, and support for services protecting victims of gender-based violence.
In his address, Albares reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to Ukraine: “Spain will continue to support the people and Government of Ukraine in defending their freedom and sovereignty, not only through humanitarian assistance, but also with political, financial, and military equipment support”. The minister recalled that, in addition to the humanitarian and military aid sent since the onset of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Spain fully enforces the 19 EU sanctions packages adopted to date, has established the Ukraine Reconstruction Office to support Spanish companies wishing to participate in the country’s reconstruction, and currently hosts over 250,000 Ukrainians, making it the country with the fourth largest Ukrainian diaspora within the European Union.
“We pledged to stand by Ukraine against this unjust war, and we are honouring that commitment”, the minister emphasised. “We will continue to do so for as long as necessary, until Ukraine is once again what it has always been meant to be: a free, sovereign, and peaceful country”, he concluded.
For pictures of the event, click here.
-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-