Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned today, during a visit to Ukraine alongside Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, the "atrocities" that Kyiv accuses Russian forces of committing in the town of Borodyanka near Kyiv. The Spanish leader posted on his Twitter account, "I was shocked to see the horrors and atrocities of war by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin on the streets of Borodyanka," accompanied by a video showing him walking through the devastated city alongside Frederiksen. He added, "We will not leave the Ukrainian people alone."
Ukrainian police announced late Wednesday into Thursday that they had found the bodies of nine civilians in Borodyanka, some of which showed "signs of torture." Since the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kyiv area three weeks ago, Ukrainian authorities have discovered hundreds of bodies of civilians, confirming that they are victims of "war crimes" committed by Russian forces, a claim supported by several Western countries and denied by Russia. An Ukrainian official confirmed to Agence France-Presse on Thursday that there are more than 1,000 civilian bodies in morgues in the Kyiv region.
In Kyiv, Sánchez and Frederiksen met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sánchez announced that his country had sent a shipment of military aid to Ukraine weighing 200 tons, including heavy transport vehicles and ammunition. During a joint press conference with Frederiksen and Zelensky, Sánchez stated, "This is the largest shipment sent so far, more than double what we have sent until now."
Sánchez had said on Wednesday that he would express to the Ukrainian president during his visit the European Union's overall commitment and Spain's particular "firm and clear commitment to achieving peace." He added that Spain would continue to work for peace in Ukraine while also sending "all the necessary humanitarian and military aid," ensuring "the reception of Ukrainian refugees on our territory." Spain has welcomed 134,000 Ukrainians, with 64,000 of them receiving temporary protection, including residence and work permits. The visit comes as the Spanish Prime Minister announced on Monday the reopening of the Spanish embassy in Kyiv "in a few days."
