Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Madrid on Nov. 4 as the city hosted the 30th Ibero-American Summit, and used the visit to pursue talks on air defense and further negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
Ukraine’s presidential office confirmed that Zelenskyy held a 90-minute call with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner while in Madrid. The presidential statement said they discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, including Patriot interceptors, and preparations for a trilateral format. It did not announce a new aid package or a concluded agreement.
In a social media message cited by Euronews, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s priorities were protecting its people, strengthening air defenses and expanding defense cooperation and production. He added that further support steps were being prepared, without specifying measures or naming the leaders involved.
Meetings scheduled for Thursday
Spain’s government agenda listed a meeting between Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Zelenskyy for Nov. 5, alongside Ibero-American leaders and European Council President António Costa. A separate bilateral meeting between Sánchez and Zelenskyy was also scheduled. The government agenda presents these as planned appointments, not completed talks.
The Spanish royal household also scheduled a meeting between Zelenskyy and King Felipe VI for Thursday. Zelenskyy’s presence in Madrid was confirmed on Wednesday, but the planned meetings had not yet taken place at the time of the announcement.
The summit runs Nov. 4 and 5 and brings representatives from 22 Ibero-American countries to Madrid. The visit offers Kyiv an opportunity to engage with regional governments whose positions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have differed.
Clayton Ward