MADRID, March 18 - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that the unfolding crisis in the Middle East would not deflect Spain from its support for Ukraine, as Madrid and Kyiv formalised co-production pacts for battle materiel including drones, radar systems and missiles.
Sanchez acknowledged the prominence of the Middle East conflict in public conversation but emphasised Spain’s continued focus on Ukraine. "We cannot deny that the crisis in the Middle East is monopolising conversation and precisely for that reason, I want to say to the government of Ukraine that nothing and no one will make us forget what is happening in Ukraine," he said. "We will keep our support for the Ukrainian people with the same intensity."
The formal agreements cover collaborative production of defence equipment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the social media platform X that, in addition to his meeting with Sanchez, he met with Spanish engineering and technology firm Sener Aerospace & Defence to sign cooperation agreements on missiles and air defence manufacturing and to discuss a potential joint project on long-range drones.
"We discussed production capabilities and bolstering Ukraine’s air defence," Zelenskiy wrote. "Strengthening air defence and protecting lives are our top priorities. Ukraine has new developments and is ready to scale them up." In a separate statement, Sener confirmed the agreements were signed with Ukrainian missile and autonomous system manufacturers Fire Point, Luch and Radionix.
The meetings took place against the backdrop of prolonged conflict elsewhere: Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is now in its third week, with no end in sight. Spanish officials framed their actions as a continuation of existing support for Kyiv even as attention to the Middle East intensifies.
Zelenskiy also addressed a pending European financial package for Ukraine, saying that despite opposition from Hungary he hoped leaders meeting in Brussels would back a proposed 90 billion euro loan intended for military aid and general budget support. He argued there was no substitute for the proposal, adding: "I know most European countries understand this is not a fair blockage. There is no alternative to the 90 billion."
The accords on joint production and the diplomatic push for the loan underscore an effort to maintain defence and fiscal assistance to Kyiv amid competing international crises. Spain and Ukrainian industry participants have taken concrete steps to expand manufacturing cooperation in defence systems, while Kyiv continues to press European partners for substantial financial backing despite internal EU disagreement.
Key Points
- Spain pledged continued, intense support for Ukraine despite the Middle East crisis, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reiterating that the situation in Ukraine will not be forgotten.
- Madrid and Kyiv signed co-production agreements for drones, radar and missiles; Sener confirmed contracts with Fire Point, Luch and Radionix to collaborate on missiles and air-defence systems and to explore long-range drone projects.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged European leaders to approve a proposed 90 billion euro loan for military and budgetary support, noting Hungary's opposition as a current blockage.
Risks and Uncertainties
- The crisis in the Middle East is monopolising international conversation, which could limit political bandwidth for continued or increased support to Ukraine - this primarily affects the defence sector and government funding priorities.
- Opposition from an EU member state (Hungary) presents a direct political risk to the approval of the 90 billion euro loan package, with implications for sovereign financing and defence procurement in Ukraine.
- Concurrent, open conflicts - noted as Russia's invasion continuing for over four years and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran entering its third week - create an unpredictable geopolitical environment that may complicate coordination of military support and supply chains for defence manufacturers.