Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Kyiv on Saturday morning, the same day Spain held the European Union presidency, sending a strong signal of continued EU support for Ukraine.

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro SanchezPhoto: JAVIER SORIANO / AFP / Profimedia

Sanchez will meet with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi,

Sanchez wants this trip to be the first act of the Spanish presidency “to demonstrate with its presence the EU’s direct support for Ukraine in all spheres: military, humanitarian and economic,” his office said two days ago, according to Reuters.

The war in Ukraine and its consequences will be a priority during Spain’s presidency, the quoted source said

The presidency of the EU passed to Spain

On July 1, 2023, Spain took over the presidency of the European Union (EU) from Sweden for six months. The member states that preside over the Union work together in groups of three, called “trios”, for 18 months. The current trio consists of Spain (July-December 2023), Belgium (January-June 2024) and Hungary (July-December 2024), according to the consilium.europa.eu website provided to Agerpres.

Previously, Spain held the presidency of the Union four times: in 1989, 1995, 2002 and 2010. The last presidency of Spain in the Union, in 2010, was marked by the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as the economic crisis that affected all the countries of the Union, the website spanish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu also reports.

During the previous presidency of the Union, Sweden focused on objectives such as security, unity, competitiveness, green and energy transition, democratic values ​​and the rule of law. It prioritizes continuing economic and military support for Ukraine, as well as supporting Ukraine’s path to the EU or reducing the risks of energy price volatility and reforming the energy market, green transition and respect for the rule of law, reports consilium.europa. EU.

Priorities and logo of the current presidency of Spain in the European Union

The priorities of the Spanish presidency were presented on June 15, 2023 by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez. Thus, the four priorities adopted by Spain from July 1 are the promotion of the reindustrialization of Europe, the progress in the ecological transition, the consolidation of the social pillar and the consolidation of European unity.