Sánchez opens the debate in Congress underlining Spain's support for Ukraine: "We have been and we will be by your side"

MADRID, 24 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, began his speech in Congress this Tuesday underlining Spain's support for Ukraine and guaranteeing aid "for as long as the occupation lasts".

In his speech before the Lower House, Sánchez recalled that this Tuesday marks eleven months since the start of the invasion. "Eleven months in which Ukraine has resisted fighting for its freedom and independence", he applauded, acknowledging that the fighting is taking place on its territory but the consequences of the war "reach much further".

Within this framework, he stressed that Spain has supported Ukraine along with the rest of the European Union, both in sending military material and in hosting refugees (164,000 are in Spain), sanctions against Russian oligarchs or humanitarian aid (up to 38 million euros).

"Spain has supported and will continue to support Ukraine together with its European allies for as long as the occupation lasts," he guaranteed in full debate on sending 'Leopard' battle tanks to the country, although without referring at any time to this specific matter.

On this point, Sánchez has alluded to Russian President Vladimir Putin as "an unscrupulous autocrat who knows no limits" and whom he has accused of being willing to use everything "regardless of the price to pay."

This means, he has said, that concepts that seemed to have been overcome - such as the international order based on rules, the inviolability of borders or the right of countries to decide their future without interference or coercion - are now "in question" again. .