Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Kyiv on Saturday, July 1, as Spain took over the presidency of the European Union pledging to show steadfast European support for Ukraine.

Prior to departing from Madrid on Thursday, June 29, Sanchez said he wanted the trip to be the Spanish presidency’s first act “to show with his presence the EU’s undivided support to Ukraine in all fields: military, humanitarian, and economic.”

Sanchez will address the Ukrainian Parliament and then hold a joint news conference with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Countries holding the presidency traditionally try to set the agenda within the bloc, though the results ultimately depend on all member states. He said the war in Ukraine and its consequences would be a priority during Spain’s presidency.

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On arriving by train, he tweeted:

 

“In Kyiv already. I wanted the first act of the Spanish presidency of the council of the European Union to be in Ukraine” saying he would convey “all of Europe’s solidarity.”

“We will keep supporting the Ukrainian people until peace returns to Europe,” Sanchez added, when announcing the visit during an EU summit on Thursday, saying the aim was to demonstrate the EU’s “unfaltering support” for Kyiv as it battles the Russian invasion.

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