Zelensky Signs $1BN Weapons Deal With Spain, Includes Patriot Missiles
Ukraine and Spain have inked a new military deal worth 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion), which will see the Spanish military transfer more military equipment to Kiev over the course of this year.
The commitment calls for greater supplies of modern military equipment which prioritizes "Ukraine's key capacity needs" - especially safeguarding the country's export routes.
El Pais newspaper listed that Spain has just pledged as part of the package a dozen U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and 19 second-hand German-made Leopard tanks.
Spain was among countries under pressure by EU leadership to essentially give up weapons it doesn't need at this time for its own defenses, especially the Patriots.
However, the Patriot missiles are unlikely to include the full Patriot systems and batteries, according to El Pais, and thus this will be of limited advantage at a moment Kharkiv in the north, and Odessa in the south, are getting pummeled.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said of the agreement with Ukraine, "It is more important than ever to redouble our support." This comes after Zelensky and his top officials have complained that Western aid has been too slow to arrive.
This also comes the day after a deadly Russian strike on a market in Kharkiv city over the weekend, per the BBC:
At least 12 people have been killed and 43 others wounded after Russian forces hit a supermarket in the northern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv with two glide bombs, local officials say.
A large fire could be seen raging at the Epicentr K home improvement store on the northern outskirts of the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said over 200 people could have been inside the supermarket when it was attacked.
With each new strike, Zelensky's lashing out at his Western backers grows louder...
Russia has launched another brutal attack on our Kharkiv – on a construction hypermarket, on Saturday, right in the middle of the day.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 25, 2024
As of now, it is believed that more than 200 people were in the hypermarket. All the emergency services are already on the site and providing… pic.twitter.com/9ItlGHkkEY
"If Ukraine had sufficient air defense systems and modern combat aircraft, Russian strikes like this one would have been impossible," Zelensky stated. "And that is why we appeal to all leaders, to all states: we need a significant enhancement of air defense and sufficient capabilities to destroy Russian terrorists."
"This is a task that must be accomplished and can only be accomplished together with the world. Every day, we call on the world to provide us with air defense and to save our people," Zelensky continued. And in a veiled attack which appears aimed at Washington, he concluded with: "Every unmade decision to support us results in the loss of our people."