From the first days of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Spain supported our state and showed solidarity with it, condemning Russia’s military aggression
Kateryna Vakarchuk
Ph.D. in Politics
I. Mechnikov Odesa National University
The world community’s, most countries’ support is one of the determining factors in Ukraine’s victory in this war. The support of EU countries and individual international actors is important. Yes, we mean, in particular, Spain. From the first days of the Russian-Ukrainian war, this country supported our state and showed solidarity with it, condemning Russia’s military aggression.
Interesting is the increase in Spain’s foreign policy activity over the past decade. Thus, according to the Spanish 2021–2024 Foreign Action Strategy, the Kingdom of Spain should actively establish foreign relations in order to generate a broad national consensus. The document is based on Spain’s desire to ensure its international significance and strengthen its presence at the global level. Its foreign policy orientation is based on a global calling and a multidimensional identity, which, in addition to its European essence and Mediterranean roots, has deep and irrevocable ties with Latin America, a transatlantic commitment, and intense relations with Africa. It’s unique strategic position between Europe and Africa, straddling the connection between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, make Spain an ideal interlocutor which can provide a comprehensive vision and has the capacity for dialogue in multiple regional and cultural contexts.
It is worth bearing in mind the historical factors that serve to revive Spain’s participation in modern international relations. Firstly, it is associated with Spain’s position of neutrality in World War II. Secondly, it is the dictatorial regime of Franco, which caused the prolonged international isolation of Spain. Thirdly, it is a grueling civil war, which for a long time focused Spain’s attention not on external but on internal problems. And finally (which can be considered the main one) is Spain’s dissatisfaction with the status of Gibraltar, which is a British overseas territory located on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
As for its attitude to Ukraine, Spain was among the first to provide humanitarian support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2014. In addition, Spain condemned the aggression of Russians in February 2022 and at the same time not only supported Ukraine’s desire to become an EU member, but strongly advocated granting it candidate status for such accession.
Please note that before the start of the Russian attack, there was not a single high-level visit of the Spanish representative to Ukraine. Therefore, for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, his visit in April 2022 was the first one. He arrived in Kyiv for the second time on February 23, 2023. Also last year, Spain provided Ukraine with military assistance worth more than 300 million euros. In general, such assistance to Ukraine is unprecedented in its scale, including air defense systems, armored vehicles, gear and ammunition, humanitarian aid, etc. Spain also organized basic training of servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Spain was one of the first to join the European Peace Fund (EPF), established in March 2021 to empower the European Union to guarantee security for its citizens and partners. The Fund enables the European Union to provide all types of equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of its partners in accordance with international law, human rights and international humanitarian law. Spain’s share in the European Peace Fund is 9 percent or 2.5 billion euros.
It should be mentioned that the Kingdom of Spain has provided temporary shelter to 160,000 Ukrainian refugees. Such support is very important for our state. It is also happening in the international arena.
For example, on March 31, 2023, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez officially visited China in order to convince the country’s leader Xi Jinping to support peace on Ukraine’s terms. According to Pedro Sánchez, this visit may reorient China to pro-European positions on Russia’s war against Ukraine. Spain considers China’s position decisive in ending the Russian-Ukrainian war. In this case, it is important that Spain will chair the Council of Europe during the second half of 2023, so we can hope that current events in Ukraine during Spain’s presidency will always be on the agenda.
Spain is also among those states that decided to support Ukraine’s claim against Russia under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which is being considered by the International Court of Justice.
Therefore, Spain’s support is very important for Ukrainians, because it is territorially far away, but it turned out to be a reliable international actor in European security policy. It has become closer as a result of its assistance, cooperation and interaction, which in the future may positively influence the development of our bilateral relations.
