The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, reiterated on Wednesday Spain’s support at all levels to Ukraine after visiting areas bombed by Russia both in Kiev and in the town of Makariv, located 50 kilometers from the capital, while promising to contribute to the reconstruction.
Albares arrived early this morning in Kiev, in what is his first visit since the beginning of the Russian invasion last February 24, with the aim of offering in person the support of Spain, «political, diplomatic, humanitarian, military support, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity».
This is what he has conveyed to his Ukrainian counterpart, Dimitro Kuleba. In a joint press conference, he indicated that the Government hopes that the latest military aid sent to this country will contribute «to make the Ukrainian skies safer against new offensives with drones and cruise missiles», something «vital to defend the civilian population», while assuring that Spain understands the «urgency» of this happening.
Albares, who said he was «sure that peace will return to Ukraine», stressed the «commitment from now on to the reconstruction of this country». The Spanish financial aid «will make it possible to recover the devastated infrastructures but also the culture, the heritage and the life of a country that only wishes to live in peace and harmony» with the rest, he added.
In this sense, he indicated that Spain has designed together with the Organization for Culture, Education and Science (UNESCO) «a center for the preservation and protection of the Ukrainian cultural heritage» that will have its headquarters in Lviv.
In the capital, he had the opportunity to visit «buildings hit either by missiles or by drones» as well as Makariv, a «town martyred for more than a month» whose kindergarten and hospital were completely destroyed, as he said in statements after his visit.
The minister said he was «happy» to learn that some of the children from the kindergarten, which served among others children with special needs, were treated in Spain and have been able to return to Ukraine.
DELIVERY OF 30 AMBULANCES During his stay Albares, who has traveled accompanied by the director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Anton Leis, has delivered 30 ambulances that, as he explained, will help to ensure «gynecological care» because children are «the future of this country» and now is «very difficult». The ambulances have been channeled through the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
In addition, he indicated that five generators are «about to arrive in Ukraine» in response to the urgent request made by the Government «after the latest Russian attacks on electrical infrastructures» and which will allow «basic, health and security facilities» to be kept in operation. They will be joined «very soon» by fourteen generators financed by AECID.
Albares plans to complete his visit with a meeting with the staff of the Embassy in Kiev to thank them for their work and to decorate them for the evacuation of Spaniards carried out in the first days of the Russian invasion. He will also decorate, he said, «six Ukrainians who cooperated very effectively with Spain».
