The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez during a press conference in Kyiv, February 23, 2023. AP
As reported by the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, plans to visit Spain next week, where meetings with the heads of the House of Representatives and the Senate and with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are expected. The information appears in European media reports, which cite government and parliamentary circles regarding the preliminary itinerary of the trip.
According to the Moncloa Palace, Zelensky’s arrival in Spain is scheduled for the evening of November 17, and the next day there will be meetings with parliamentary leaders. He will be greeted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Francina Armengol and the President of the Senate Pedro Rollán. Also planned is a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, after which a joint press conference will be held.
According to government sources, Sánchez will express full support for Ukraine and urge continued pressure on Russia within the framework of international efforts.
As part of the visit, Zelensky will also visit the Reina Sofía National Museum of Art in Madrid and take a photograph against the backdrop of Picasso’s “Guernica” – a work regarded as an anti-war symbol of modernity.
Earlier a trip to Spain was planned for April this year, but it was canceled due to the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Also in previous reports there were mentions of possible meetings with other leaders, but the exact date of the briefing meetings has not yet been agreed.
Expectations for the Visit
All sides expect concrete statements of support for Ukraine and further steps to coordinate pressure on Russia, as well as possible agreements or joint statements during the meetings in Madrid and in future consultations. The visit could also strengthen cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, considering the planned museum visit and the symbolic photos against the backdrop of famous works.
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