Joint declaration: Spain supports creation of NATO-Ukraine Council

The Ukrainian leader said this at a joint press conference with the Spanish prime minister in Kyiv on Saturday, July 1, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I am grateful for support for our movement toward NATO. This is now an obvious fact: the wider NATO is in Europe, the wider the area of peace and defense in Europe. Our joint declaration with the Prime Minister in support of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations clearly states that security for Europe is our common priority. And our declaration today is already the 21st such document [signed] with Allies, and this is the majority," Zelensky noted.

He noted that Ukraine is counting on Spain's support during the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"Ukraine is convinced that today there are all grounds to invite Ukraine to NATO membership. This would be a very important signal that peace and security in Europe do not and will never have any alternatives," Zelensky said.

The text of the joint declaration was published on the website of the Ukrainian president. The document states, among other things, that Spain reiterates its support for the candidacy of Ukraine to join the EU, which will be among the priorities of its Presidency, and that Spain is committed to actively participate in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

Spain also expressed support for Ukraine's movement toward NATO.

"Spain supports strengthening NATO's partnership with Ukraine, including through the creation of a NATO-Ukraine Council as a venue to further increase and expand the ongoing cooperation to help fulfil Ukraine's path towards the Euro-Atlantic family consistent with the Bucharest Declaration. Spain reiterates its support to NATO’s Open Door Policy in accordance with the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept as well as the Madrid NATO Summit Declaration," the declaration says.

Ukraine and Spain expected these issues to be addressed at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July.

Sanchez is visiting Ukraine on July 1. He has already delivered a speech in the Verkhovna Rada and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.