Spain’s defence minister non-committal on supplying tanks to Ukraine

A newspaper report to the effect that Spain is considering supplying battle tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine drew a non-committal response from Defence Minister Margarita Robles during a television interview.

Robles described arms deliveries to Ukraine following the Russian invasion as an “extremely delicate issue” that required “the greatest discretion” in remarks to broadcaster Telecinco.

She noted that Russia had repeated threats to countries supplying weapons to Ukraine.

However, Robles also said that Spain would act “within its capabilities and in coordination with its partners” in doing all it could to support the “heroic courage” of the Ukrainians.

On Sunday, the El Pais daily reported that Spain planned to supply Ukraine with around 40 main battle tanks made in Germany, providing the country with modern Western tanks for the first time.