By KYIV. Nov 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – During a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez in Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked this country for the decision to transfer air defense systems to Ukraine, noting that such a step is of great importance.
"For us today, this is really the number one issue – to provide powerful air defense, create an air shield to protect our critical and civilian infrastructure. Therefore, Spain’s decision to transfer air defense systems to Ukraine is of great importance to us," the head of state’s said on the Telegram channel.
According to the presidential press service, the interlocutors also discussed topical issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine is looking forward to concrete steps towards the EU during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2023.
Special attention was paid to the restoration of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after the last wave of missile attacks of Russia. The President of Ukraine thanked the Spanish Foreign Minister for the provided generators.
He also noted the need for additional assistance from partners to restore uninterrupted power supply and expressed the hope that Spain will actively join the restoration of Ukraine.
In addition, the president drew the attention of the Spanish Foreign Minister to Ukraine’s international initiatives to hold Russia accountable for the crimes committed in Ukraine. Zelensky expressed hope that Spain would support the creation of a mechanism to compensate for the damage caused by the Russian invasion, as well as a Special International Tribunal for the Crimes of Russian Aggression.
There was also an exchange of views on the consequences of Russian aggression for food security. The importance of continuing the grain initiative, which is the main element of global food security, was noted.
The head of state said Ukraine would commemorate the 90th anniversary of Holodomor of 1932-1933 and expressed hope that Spain would join the countries that recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people.
