OVIEDO, Spain 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a fresh €1 billion ($1.047 billion) military aid package for Ukraine on Monday.


“We will continue supporting Ukraine as long as it takes. We will not let you down when you need us the most,” said Sanchez at the summit in Kyiv marking the third anniversary of the war.

The Spanish premier also told fellow leaders at the conference that Ukraine should join the EU as soon as possible.


“Whatever happens in the coming months, Ukraine’s accession to the EU would be the most important victory for the Ukrainian people,” he said.

“Ukraine’s hope is in Europe, but Europe’s hope is also in Ukraine. You are giving us hope by defending the values and ideals of freedom for which many Europeans gave their lives in the past,” he added.

Sanchez also shared his thoughts on peace negotiations, welcoming “all efforts to work toward peace” but insisted it must be “fair, sustainable and comprehensive.”


“For peace to be just, Ukraine must sit at the negotiation table. For peace to be sustainable, Europe has to participate in it. For peace to be comprehensive, it cannot be a mere ceasefire,” he said.

The Spanish premier added that his country will work “hand-in-hand” with Ukraine on its reconstruction and announced the creation of a “Ukraine hub” in the Spanish province of Alicante to support the Ukrainian diaspora.


As of Dec. 31, 2024, nearly 315,000 Ukrainians were living in Spain, according to government figures.