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Spanish Foreign Minister Albares visits Ukraine to reaffirm support amid war

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Spanish Foreign Minister Albares visits Ukraine to reaffirm support amid war
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares (R) visited Lviv, Ukraine, on Jan. 28, 2025, where he met with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (L). (Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry/Telegram)

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares arrived in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Jan. 28, reaffirming Spain's support for Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion.

"This year will be a year of peace," Albares wrote on X, emphasizing Spain's commitment to a "just peace" that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty and freedom.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry outlined three primary objectives for the trip: reinforcing political and diplomatic backing, providing humanitarian aid, and protecting Ukraine's cultural heritage, according to the Spanish news outlet La Razon.

During his visit, Albares is set to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, to discuss Spain's political support and its role in Ukraine's reconstruction.

"I am grateful to Spain for its support and look forward to meaningful talks today," Sybiha said.

The two officials met ahead of the discussions to honor fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv.

In May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, under which Spain pledged 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in aid for 2024 and 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) by 2027. This support encompasses economic, military, and humanitarian assistance.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

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Tim Zadorozhnyy is a reporter at The Kyiv Independent, covering foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations and European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa, working there for two years from the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. After relocating to Warsaw, he spent a year and a half at the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, initially as a news anchor and later as managing editor.

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