On February 24, 2022, without prior justification or provocation and in flagrant violation of international law, the Russian armed forces began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Their objective was clear: to overthrow a widely and democratically elected Government and take away from the Ukrainian people the freedom to decide on their destiny.
Thanks to the admirable courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, which I witnessed in person in Kyiv, and the support of Europe and its allies, Russia failed in that objective. However, two years later, the war continues, causing thousands of victims, pain and destruction.
Given this, Spain remains firm in its commitment: to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. This is not only a war contrary to the principles of international law, which prohibit the threat and use of force in relations between states. This war is based on the radical denial of the sovereignty and even the very existence of Ukraine, on the rejection of its territorial integrity, certified with an annexation of several territories after illegal voting simulations in areas subject to military occupation. It is, therefore, a war against the Charter of the United Nations. If aggression were to succeed, any country in the world would be at the mercy of its larger or better armed neighbor. The result is easy to foresee: a more violent and more insecure world, with more frequent and destructive conflicts.
What is at stake, therefore, is the freedom of Ukraine and the very survival of our model of international coexistence. This is what the more than 140 countries that have voted for resolutions condemning Russian aggression in the United Nations have understood. We must make clear that our commitment to supporting Ukraine will remain as long as necessary. Spain has demonstrated it with its actions.
Spain supports Ukraine in all areas: political, humanitarian, financial, military. We Europeans and our partners have joined forces in favor of Ukraine. Within the framework of the European Union, Spain has managed to maintain European unity and we have concluded our presidency with the start of Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the EU. There is a future of peace and prosperity for Ukraine along with other European countries. That is our message. We also promote sanctions packages against Russia and provide all kinds of aid, such as the multi-year package of 50 billion euros approved at the European Council on February 1.
We have delivered humanitarian aid worth about 80 million euros. Nearly 200,000 displaced Ukrainians have been welcomed in solidarity by the Spanish people. There is a name that reflects the commitment of the Spanish people to the Ukrainian people: Emma Igual, a Spanish aid worker who lost her life last September. She represents the best of our country, the values ??of humanity, solidarity and freedom that deserve to be defended. Those responsible for this and many other crimes must answer for her actions before justice. Spain supports the International Criminal Court in its essential work, reinforcing our voluntary contribution until it reaches 6 million euros in 2023. In addition, we have provided aid with the aim of allowing Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defense.
During the coming months, Spain will continue working with its allies to achieve global peace in Ukraine, whose starting point is the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. It will then be time to help Ukraine in its reconstruction, for which Spain has already committed 400 million euros, and in the reforms that pave its way to being part of the EU family.
The people and Government of Ukraine continue to defend peace, freedom, their sovereignty and territorial integrity and have undertaken an irreversible process of integration into the European Union. Spain is at his side until peace is finally achieved. Until the day we commemorate, not the anniversary of the beginning of an invasion, but the end point of a cruel war and the achievement of a just peace.
