Ukrainian President Zelenskyy makes surprise visit to Madrid, to hold talks with global leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Wednesday on a surprise visit. Due to security reasons, his visit was kept highly confidential and was only made public once his plane landed in Madrid. According to reports from Euro News and the Bangkok Post, Zelenskyy's visit coincides with the Ibero-American Summit being held in Madrid. He will hold a series of meetings over two days with leaders from various countries who have arrived to participate in the summit.

Confirming his visit on social media, the Ukrainian President stated that his main priority is to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, protect its citizens, and increase cooperation and production in the defense sector. He further added that next steps to secure support in this direction are being prepared. However, he did not provide details on which leaders he would meet. According to Spanish government sources, at the end of the summit, Zelenskyy will meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and other global leaders to discuss the current situation in Ukraine, its global impacts, and challenges to international peace and security.

A key objective of this visit is to strengthen Ukraine's contacts with Latin American countries, as mixed responses have been observed in the region regarding Ukraine following the Russian invasion. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and European Council President António Costa will also join the meeting to be held on Thursday. Additionally, Zelenskyy will hold bilateral talks with King Felipe VI of Spain. Delegations from 22 countries are present at the Ibero-American Summit, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Chilean President José Antonio Kast, and the conservative leader of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz.

The main purpose of this 30th summit being held in Madrid is to restore the declining influence of the Ibero-American format. In the last summit held in Ecuador in 2024, only 4 heads of state were present and no final declaration could be made. The presence of 7 Latin American presidents this year shows a right-wing tilt in the region. For Prime Minister Sánchez, this summit is politically complex, as he may face defeat in the elections to be held on 29 November. Argentine President Milei recently called Sánchez an 'insulting dictator', which has heated up Spanish politics. The absence of Sánchez's leftist allies like Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum at this summit is also notable.

Meanwhile, King Felipe VI of Spain, while addressing businessmen, emphasized an open economy and equal rules instead of protectionism. He stated that in times of economic uncertainty, increasing cooperation between countries is extremely necessary. On the other hand, movements at the international level regarding the Ukraine issue have also intensified. The first meeting between negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US since February is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November. Discussions are also underway in Brussels between various countries and NATO regarding Ukraine's reconstruction and security guarantees.

The Ibero-American Summit is an organization of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, primarily located in Latin America. The purpose of this organization has been to increase cultural, political, and economic cooperation among member countries. In the past, this summit was considered an influential platform at the international level, but its importance has declined in recent years due to differences among member countries.