Spain and the United Kingdom share the importance of NATO unity in the face of the Russian threat

The British defense minister warns of the risk of growing Russian influence in Africa

MADRID, 25 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Spain and the United Kingdom shared this Wednesday the importance of the "unity" shown by NATO in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and underlined the role that this scenario plays in the NATO Summit that will be held in Madrid at the end of June .

Defense Minister Margarita Robles held a meeting on Wednesday with her British counterpart, Ben Wallace, in the first visit to Madrid in 17 years by a UK Defense Minister. "I can't believe that it was 17 years ago, it shouldn't have been like this," Wallace acknowledged, surprised, pointing out that both countries do have meetings and bilateral relations within the framework of NATO or other organizations.

The meeting focused on the Atlantic Alliance Summit to be held in Madrid and, according to Robles, "highlights" the "magnificent relations" between the two countries in defense matters.

Both have pointed out the role played by the invasion of Ukraine and the possible incorporation of Finland and Sweden. "One of the failures of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is that NATO is more united than ever," Robles emphasized.

Wallace has shared the condemnation of the invasion and the "crimes" committed by Russia, which has demanded that it has to leave Ukraine and do "the right thing".

In this context, Spain has recalled that it is committed to "a 360-degree approach" to the Strategic Concept that will be approved at the NATO Summit in Madrid, since Africa is facing a situation that is "very worrying from all points of view".

This, he explained, does not have to translate so much into a military presence of the Alliance on the African continent as with the fact of being aware of "the problems that exist". And she has pointed to phenomena such as the advance of terrorism or the presence of Russia in Africa through her Army or the Wagner mercenary group.

The British minister shared that Russia's influence in the world and also in Africa cannot be "underestimated", with consequences for Spain and for all of Europe. "NATO does not have to stick to geographical issues, it has to increase resilience to possible impacts caused by groups like Wagner that are very close to the Kremlin. That is why there has to be a 360 vision," he pointed out.

Gibraltar has also been present in the conversation, in which both have insisted on their position. However, Wallace has defended that "it is not used in any way against Spain". "It is a myth, it is not true. It is only used as a base for our forces if they act jointly in the Mediterranean because we are allies," he assured.