The Secretary of Defence, Daisy Robles, reaffirmed Spain’s unwavering backing for Ukraine during her Thursday visit to the Ukrainian city of Odessa, underscoring a shared commitment with NATO in the face of aggression from Russia and the broader EU stance. The purpose of her trip was explicit: to signal Spain’s steadfast support for Ukraine and for the Ukrainian people, a message she conveyed in a joint meeting with Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Robles described Ukraine as defending not only its own sovereignty and territorial integrity but also the security of Europe, the civilised world, and the values that underpin democratic life.
During the talks, the Spanish government was described as continuously coordinating its position with both NATO and the European Union. Robles stressed that Spain supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity without reservation, highlighting a unified approach among EU and NATO members in backing Kyiv amid ongoing hostilities.
When addressing Ukraine’s request for additional air defense capabilities to shield key cities such as Odessa from Russian missile strikes, Robles acknowledged that these requests are a priority for Kyiv and a matter of strategic importance for Turkey as well. She stated that Spain would strive to provide relevant air defense systems based on its available stock while ensuring that any delivery respects the necessary confidentiality and procedural safeguards to maintain operational security and discretion.
Robles explained that, regarding Ibero-American nations, there is broad understanding that the principal aggressor behind the brutal and perplexing war in the 21st century is Russian President Vladimir Putin. She emphasized that no country in the Ibero-American circle should remain indifferent to this reality, and she urged these nations to support Ukraine in varied ways as part of contributing to global peace.
Reznikov expressed gratitude to Robles for Spain’s new military aid package, noting that it would enhance the Ukrainian Army’s capabilities, though he avoided enumerating specific items for security reasons. He added that some components could not be detailed publicly until Ukrainian forces begin using them. Reznikov also highlighted Spain as the first responder to Ukraine’s requests for air defense systems after Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and hinted that Kyiv would soon receive Hawk systems promised by Spain’s friends.
During the port visit, Robles and Reznikov met with wounded Ukrainian soldiers, an interaction Robles described as personally meaningful and inspirational because it showcased the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people. The delegation also visited the monument to José de Ribas, the Spanish-born officer who founded Odessa, and laid flowers to honor war victims, thereby linking shared historical ties with the present-day commitment to Ukraine’s defense and resilience.