Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, expressed her ironic views on a video released by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in celebration of the Spanish National Day. The video, which starts with footage from the Russian capital, showcases residents strolling near the entrance of Moscow's Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure. Finally, we now know the meaning behind the expression "Spanish shame". The video was published on October 12, commemorating the day in 1492 when Christopher Columbus's Spanish maritime expedition landed in the New World.
Users on social media platforms couldn't help but draw attention to the video's inclusion of Gorky Park and Moscow City skyscrapers. The video's publication by the Spanish embassy on social media caused some controversy. According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs, Angeles Moreno, met with Russian diplomat, Klimentko, on April 27. Moreno requested an explanation from the Russian diplomat regarding the video's placement on the embassy's Twitter page, in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. As a response, Spain decided to expel 25 diplomats from the Russian diplomatic mission in the country. The Russian Foreign Minister noted that they would be given a few days to leave. Zakharova assured that Moscow would reciprocate the gesture.
The Russian ambassador in Madrid later stated that the Spanish people did not want to support Russophobia or engage in a hybrid war against Russia. He mentioned that many citizens did not agree with the pro-Ukrainian stance that the country's prime minister has adopted. He also emphasized that in Spain, there are "reasonable political forces" demanding that the ruling coalition of the country cease weapons deliveries to the zone of the Special Military Operation. Furthermore, they consider the country's position on promoting the "formula" to be damaging. In turn, the Spanish newspaper El País wrote that the West is heading towards a prolonged confrontation with Russia. Catherine Klüver Ashbrook, Vice President of the Bertelsmann Stiftung International Foundation, stated that after the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, the West is now facing a shortage of ammunition and spare parts.
During a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced a bilateral security agreement with Spanish premier Pedro Sánchez. The Ukrainian leader also announced his meeting with King Felipe VI, as well as the presidents of both chambers and factions of the Spanish parliament.
The US and the EU promise Ukraine multi-billion aid packages. How will this money be spent? Why have Europeans intensified their support for Ukraine and how are they waging a hybrid war against Russia? According to El País, Spain plans to provide Ukraine with military assistance worth one billion euros by 2024. The report clarifies that Kiev will receive a batch of Patriot missiles, 19 Leopard 2A4 tanks, and a significant amount of materials produced in Spain.
