Albares, about the 'Leopard': "Spain has never turned its back on Ukraine and it will never do so"

MADRID, 24 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, wanted to settle the debate on the eventual shipment of 'Leopard' battle tanks by Spain to Ukraine, ensuring that until now this country has never been turned its back on when you have needed it and that this will never happen.

"Spain has never turned its back on Ukraine when Ukraine has needed it and Spain will never turn its back on Ukraine when Ukraine needs Spain," he said at a press conference in Madrid with his Moldovan counterpart, Nicu Popescu.

After expressing his understanding of the "media interest" aroused by this matter, since the prior approval of Germany as their manufacturer is necessary for the shipment of these tanks, the minister has abounded in his message in recent days that we must maintain unity among Europeans and that the shipment of weapons requires discretion.

In Ukraine there is "a real war" and talking about military material, how much, what or when it is going to be delivered or where it is going to enter "does not do any favors, neither to the government of (Volodimir) Zelensky nor to the Ukrainian people who he is defending his freedom and sovereignty and European values ​​with dignity," Albares said.

In line with this, and breaking a spear for Germany although without expressly mentioning this country, which until now has been reluctant to authorize the shipment of 'Leopard', the minister has asked to be "aware that not all European countries have had the same relationship with Ukraine and Russia and have the same exposure" to the conflict.

"We have to understand the position of all the EU countries and their times, because in the end the unity with which we Europeans are acting is probably the best instrument to face the challenge of Russian aggression," he stressed.