Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived today in Madrid on an official visit, during which an agreement is expected to be signed to increase the military aid provided by Spain to Kiev, reported France Presse, quoted by BTA.
According to the footage released by the Spanish public television, Zelensky was met on the runway of the Madrid airport by King Felipe VI. This is the first official visit of the Ukrainian president to Spain, notes AFP.
The Associated Press reports that the Ukrainian leader will hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on what local media reports is a €1.1 billion deal for additional arms from Spain to Ukraine.
Spanish newspaper Pais, citing unnamed sources familiar with the bilateral deal, said it would include another batch of US-made Patriot air defense systems, which Ukraine has long been pushing for in order to fend off Russian missile strikes.
In addition, the supply of "Leopard" tanks is planned. and 155 mm artillery shells, which are the most used by Ukraine on the battlefield, the Spanish publication reported. Spain will also continue to train Ukrainian soldiers and treat wounded fighters on the battlefield.
The Spanish media are also reporting on a possible visit of Zelensky to the Spanish Parliament this afternoon, DPA reported.
Zelensky was originally scheduled to visit Spain and Portugal earlier this month, but he postponed all foreign travel after Kremlin forces began an offensive in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region. This further complicates the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which in recent months have been fighting against Russian pressure in the partially occupied Donetsk region.
Yesterday, Zelensky said that Russian forces are focusing on another sector of the Ukrainian-Russian border in the north.
Meanwhile, Western intelligence claims that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region is under control.
The current Russian offensive has led to the biggest military test for Ukraine since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country. The slow delivery of support from its Western partners has left Ukraine at the mercy of Russia's larger ground and air forces, AP reports.
DPA recalls Zelensky's canceled visit to Portugal and reports that a visit to Lisbon after today's in Madrid has not yet been officially announced, although there is speculation in the Iberian republic that the Ukrainian president may arrive after the visit to the neighboring country.