The Spanish government initially downplayed a Ukraine support document signed by European leaders from the 'Washington group', but within two hours requested to join it at Ukraine's request. Pedro Sánchez was not part of the core group that accompanied Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States last summer. The text responds to Donald Trump's positions on the war and emphasizes respect for Ukrainian borders.
In European diplomatic circles, the 'Washington group' refers to the countries that accompanied Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States last summer to meet Donald Trump. This group, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission, plus António Costa, Mette Frederiksen, and Jonas Gahr Støre, drove a Ukraine support document signed yesterday by 10 European leaders.
The text states: 'We are all united in our desire for a just and lasting peace, deserved by the people of Ukraine. We firmly support President Trump's position that fighting must stop immediately and that the current line of contact must be the starting point for negotiations,' and adds commitment to 'the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.' This reference addresses Trump's recent suggestions that Ukraine might accept territorial losses to advance peace, and it was released before a possible Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest, now in doubt, and days before the European Council in Brussels on Ukraine and frozen Russian assets.
Spain, under Pedro Sánchez, was not initially among the signatories. Moncloa sources downplayed the absence: 'In the European context, numerous joint declarations are issued, and not all member states always participate. Often, not being in a specific declaration does not imply disagreement.' However, within just over two hours, the government shifted, requested adhesion, and emphasized 'its commitment to a just and lasting peace, based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.'
Government sources explain that Spain thoroughly reviewed the document before joining, at Ukraine's proposal. Sánchez spoke by phone with Zelensky on Tuesday afternoon to reaffirm Spain's support. The president will participate remotely on Friday in the Volunteers Coalition meeting, hosted by Keir Starmer. Sánchez has stated that 'Europe must assert its weight even more' in the transatlantic relationship, reflecting tensions with Trump's stance.