World

Spanish PM Sanchez meets Ukraine’s Zelenskiy

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Saturday in what his office said was the first act to demonstrate “the EU’s undivided support to Ukraine in all fields: military, humanitarian and economic”.

Spain is taking over the European Union’s six-month rotating presidency and Ukraine hopes Sanchez will help her “gain influence” in Latin America, where several countries have opposed Kyiv’s efforts to retake territory occupied by Russia.

During a news conference that followed later in the day, Zelenskiy warned that a “serious threat” remained at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and said Russia was “technically ready” to provoke a localized explosion at the facility.

Sanchez said his Ukraine visit aimed to underscore his support for Ukraine. Spain would provide an additional 55 million euro ($60 million) financial package for Ukraine to help the economy and small businesses, he said.

Countries holding the presidency traditionally try to set the agenda within the bloc, though the results ultimately depend on all member states.