During his address at the center-left PSOE party conference in Cantabria, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Spain needs to demonstrate solidarity with nations neighboring Russia. This comes as Moscow persists in posing a threat to democracy and the rules-based international order.

“The stakes here go beyond just a conflict or an incursion. What’s crucial is that we’re dealing with something far greater—a multilateral order that hangs in the balance—important in its own right,” Sanchez stated during the concluding ceremony on Sunday. He emphasized that this system relies on principles outlined in the UN Charter.

The head of Spain stated that the objective is to attain a “fair and enduring” peace in Ukraine, emphasizing that while peace is critical, it should not come at the expense of condoning the aggressor, as this could lead to further, potentially graver attacks in the future.

He was also blunt in declaring that “if Ukraine wants to be part of the European Union, Russia has to respect what Ukraine wants to be”.

However, Sánchez recognized the varying security situations across European nations, conceding that “defense needs in Eastern Europe are entirely different from the security issues we face in Spain.”

Even so, the president stated that Spain would assist those who were at risk.

“Unlike some of the Baltic or Nordic nations, including Finland, we won’t face a physical assault from Russia,” Sánchez stated.

He emphasized that they require our support and insist on enhancing our collective security capabilities to deter Russia,” adding that this reinforces Spain’s dedication to Europe, driven both “by self-interest” and “conviction.”