Spain exported €133Mln in arms to Ukraine; approves €515Mln in sales

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jan 2024 16:52

This information surfaces as Brussels is conducting an audit of weapons supplied to Kiev by EU member states since the onset of Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez walks by the EU flag prior to a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (AP)

Spain exported weaponry valued at €133 million ($144.7 million) to Ukraine during the periods of 2022 and the initial half of 2023, according to a document reviewed by ABC. Spanish authorities further granted approval for the sale of weaponry totaling €515 million, with the actual exportation process post-authorization taking a substantial amount of time, the newspaper noted.

The surge in Spain's defense exports to €4.091 billion in 2022, marking a remarkable 24.3% increase from the previous year, was detailed in the government's report released on Monday. More than 60% of these exports were allocated to NATO and EU member states, as emphasized in the report.

In the midst of these developments, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Brussels is conducting an audit of weapons supplied to Kiev by EU member states since the onset of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. This audit seeks to address claims that some states have contributed less than their potential capacity in supplying arms.

In a call to action, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged EU member countries last week to increase their military aid expenditure for Ukraine in 2024.

Despite consistent warnings from the Kremlin against continued arms deliveries, Western countries, including European Union member states, have been providing both military and financial assistance to Kiev since the initiation of Russia's operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

In April 2022, Russia issued a diplomatic note to all NATO countries, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explicitly cautioning that any shipment carrying weapons destined for Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for Russian military strikes.

Active contributions

Among EU countries, Spain has been an active contributor and sponsor of Ukrainian forces.

In 2022, Spain delivered Hawk air defense systems to Kiev in the wake of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's meeting.

In February last year, Spain sent half-a-dozen Leopart 2A4 tanks to Kiev.

In July, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez paid a visit to Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirmed Spain's "unequivocal" commitment to Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union.

And in September, reports of Spain sponsoring mercenaries to join Kiev's forces emerged.