Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Madrid on Wednesday for talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who said the crisis in the Middle East would not distract Spain from continuing to back Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
The meeting came as Spain and Ukraine signed co-production agreements for military equipment including drones, radar systems and missiles.
The plan announced on Wednesday brings total Spanish aid to Ukraine to 4 billion euros. ALSO READ: Spain pledges a further €615 million of aid to Ukraine – and Zelensky views Picasso’s ‘Guernica’.
‘This war, let’s remember, was sparked by Russian aggression, which we in Spain consider unjustifiable,’ Sánchez to the media.
‘We cannot deny that the crisis in the Middle East is monopolising conversation and precisely for that reason, I want to say to the government of Ukraine that nothing and no one will make us forget what is happening in Ukraine,’ Sánchez said. ‘We will keep our support for the Ukrainian people with the same intensity.’ ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez says Spanish troops could also participate in peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than four years ago, while the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has now entered its third week with no clear resolution.
Zelensky said on social media platform X that, in addition to meeting Sánchez, he had also held talks with Spanish engineering and technology firm Sener Aerospace & Defence. The discussions led to agreements on cooperation in missile production and air defence systems, as well as consideration of a joint long-range drone project.
‘We discussed production capabilities and bolstering Ukraine’s air defence,’ he said. ‘Strengthening air defence and protecting lives are our top priorities. Ukraine has new developments and is ready to scale them up.’
Sener said in a statement that the deals involve Ukrainian missile and autonomous systems manufacturers Fire Point, Luch and Radionix.
Zelensky also expressed hope that European leaders gathering in Brussels on Thursday would approve a proposed €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, aimed at military assistance and broader budgetary support, despite opposition from Hungary.
‘I know most European countries understand this is not a fair blockage,’ he said. ‘There is no alternative to the 90 billion.’
The Ukrainian leader’s visit to Spain follows a trip to the United Kingdom a day earlier, where he met King Charles III, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
It also comes ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels running from Thursday to Friday, which Zelensky is expected to address.
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I met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. I am grateful to Spain for its support and for this visit – a visit that will also, in many ways, support Ukraine and, importantly, allow us to expand our cooperation: the defense industries of our countries, our defensive capabilities,… pic.twitter.com/KFtvbkoryn
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 18, 2026
I met with the leadership of the Spanish engineering and technology group Sener Aerospace & Defence. Today, Ukrainian manufacturers signed four cooperation documents here, three of which are specifically with Sener. The agreements concern establishing cooperation in the missile… pic.twitter.com/oDtYCmpzxV
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 18, 2026
Hoy, junto a @ZelenskyyUa, España destina 1.000 millones de euros en 2026 al apoyo bilateral militar.
Nuestra implicación va más allá de las cifras: impulsaremos juntos la coproducción en el ámbito de la defensa industrial. pic.twitter.com/MD3EhKYuPY
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) March 18, 2026
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