Pedro Sanchez Arrives In Ukraine To Meet Zelensky
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv this morning, Thursday 21st April.
The visit to show solidarity with the country since the Russian invasion on 24th February will also include a face-to-face meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelensky.
Sánchez’s trip takes place a day after he visited the reception centre for Ukrainian refugees in Malaga, an event during which he revealed that Spain has taken in 134,000 refugees, of which 64,000 have received temporary protection.
Although the visit had been expected no details were given in advance for security reasons and to guarantee the safety of the prime minister while he is the war-torn country.
It is understood he is accompanied by a crack team from the Special Operations Group (GEO).
Today he is being accompanied on his visit by the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.
In addition to his meeting with Zelenksyy, he is also expected to announce the reopening of the Spanish Embassy in the capital.
The embassy was closed in the immediate aftermath of the invasion and staff withdrawn to the west of the country and Poland.
Just arrived to Kyiv.
Ukraine has the support, solidarity and commitment of Spain. pic.twitter.com/QyXMEA7vcY
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 21, 2022
Sánchez is the latest in a long line of European leaders to visit the country.
The first political leaders to go personally to Kyiv were the heads of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, who travelled together by train from the Polish border.
There then followed high profile visits by the President of the European Union, as well as the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
When asked, Zelenskyy has also said that he expects a high ranking US visit, possibly including the President, Joe Biden.
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