Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaffirmed the country's support for Ukraine as he addressed Ukraine’s parliament.
“Today, Spain has decided to allocate an additional EUR 55 million, including EUR 51 million through the World Bank Group, to finance small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine, as well as EUR 4 million through the UN Development Program to provide schools in Ukraine with clean and sustainable energy systems,” Pedro Sanchez said.
He also noted that rebuilding the country requires time and investment, and Spain will support Ukraine in this process. In particular, Sanchez said that in certain areas, such as railroad infrastructure, Spanish companies have the know-how to help Ukraine.
“The Spanish government will support the financing of the necessary investments to adapt and modernize Ukraine's infrastructure and industries,” he said.
In addition, Sanchez announced the provision of military equipment for Ukraine, namely 4 Leopard tanks, armored personnel carriers and a mobile field hospital with surgical equipment.
"Spain will soon supply new heavy equipment to help in the war, including 4 Leopard tanks and armored personnel carriers. We will also supply a portable field hospital with surgical equipment. This element should strengthen Ukraine's ability to provide assistance to wounded soldiers and civilians near the front line," he said.
Sanchez noted that over 650 Ukrainian citizens, many of whom were injured in the fighting, have been treated in Spain in recent months.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the advanced training of Ukrainian doctors in Zaragoza, Spain.
"They are studying modern methods of treatment and the use of prostheses. More specialists will arrive in Spain over the next three weeks to undergo training. They will be able to provide better treatment and rehabilitation," he added.
As it was reported earlier, Spain's Prime Minister arrived in Kyiv on Saturday morning by train from Poland to reiterate the European Union's support of Ukraine. This is Sanchez's third time in Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last February.
This time he is visiting Kyiv on the first day of Spain’s six-month presidency of the European Council.
Speaking in Brussels on Friday, Sanchez said that war in Ukraine will be “one of the great priorities of our presidency”.
This is the second speech of the Spanish Prime Minister in the Verkhovna Rada this year. During his visit on February 23, he supported the Grain from Ukraine initiative with an EUR 4.4 million contribution and said that Spain is ready to support and accompany Ukraine in its EU membership process.