Pedro Sanchez and sanna marin They exhibited their tune in Helsinki this Friday. The Spanish president and the Finnish prime minister, both social democrats, have different views on matters of such importance as the immigration and the depth of the european funds of recovery, but they agree on the importance of strengthening the welfare state and combating climate change, as well as on the attitude that must be maintained in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war unleashed by Vladimir Putin focused their joint appearance, within the second European tour carried out by the leader of the PSOE to prepare the Spanish EU Presidency, which will begin next July and will last until the end of the year. Both leaders agreed on the need to Expand and expedite arms delivery to Ukraine.
Military aid to the country headed by Volodimir Zelensky stresses the coalition of the Spanish government. The minority partner United We Can, does not share this strategy, but Sánchez has made it clear since the invasion began, more than a year ago, that Foreign and Defense policy will corresponds exclusively so act as if the critiques of the purple ones are hardly relevant.
“It is important that let’s expedite on shipping of military capabilities for Ukraine”, said Sánchez, who recalled that the next European Council, which will take place in Brussels on March 23 and 24, will address the “joint purchase of ammunition and artillery”, so that from now on they will be “faster & rdquor; the supplies. “What has to be made clear to Putin is that the unit European and in NATO is total, round We are going to support Ukraine until the last Russian soldier has left the country,” insisted the socialist leader.
The kilometers of the border
Finland feels the war much closer than Spain. It is the EU country with a border with Russia (1,340 kilometers), and Putin’s invasion caused him to leave behind his traditional policy of non-alignment and request, together with Sweden, to join NATO. “We need common efforts. We can be happy in terms of cooperation and coordination in aid with tanks and training. soon we will talk about air defense. We need to cooperate more widely. Ukraine needs us. The EU is ready to put stronger penalties. We have to support the Ukrainians with all possible measures and try to influence all partners in the world to condemn Russia. It is not only about Ukraine, nor about Europe, but about the International system rules-based,” Manin said.
Sánchez has so far not so clearly supported the hypothetical fighter shipping to Ukraine, something that Zelenski insistently demands. But last week, during his visit to kyiv to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, the Spanish president opened the door to this initiative, stressing that the decision should be taken in any case. within NATO.
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in what there is not no difference Among the speeches by Sánchez and Manin is the need for Finland, like Sweden, to join the military alliance. One day after the finnish parliament approve that income, Sánchez showed his unequivocal support. “He is a very relevant step. It means many things: aligning in defense, freedom and justice. NATO does not exist against anyone. Its sole purpose is to protect our citizens and our democracies from a very serious threat. I am confident that they can soon be members of the alliance,” he said, asking Turkey to fulfill its commitment and stop blocking the entry of both Nordic countries into the military alliance.
Manin, at his side, thanked the support. “The entry of Finland and Sweden protects the security of NATO as a whole. The no military alignment it no longer serves our security,” he said.