What Could Stop Spain from Handing over Tanks to Ukraine

"Before the spring, the physical presence of Leopard [in Ukraine] will not be required," said Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles a few days ago.

She doesn't mean only logistical issues but a political discussion on ways to help Ukraine. Various parties demand that sending tanks to Ukraine be heard in the parliament.

As political scientist and public figure (Spain) Andrii Yakubuv notes in his column, Spain has the third largest number of Leopard battle tanks in Europe, losing only to manufacturing countries of Germany and Greece.

The kingdom has about 350 vehicles of two models, 2E and 2A4, in service. It is mainly about sending the latest model - there are 108 tanks in Spain.

One-half of the available Leopard 2A4s are on combat duty in two Spanish cities in north Africa. The other half is in storage. Ukraine will get some of the storage ones.

The Spanish government plans to send between four and six Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine and train their future Ukrainian personnel in Zaragoza.

Germany will send 4 Leopards 2A6.

According to Andrii Yakubuv, unlike most European countries, Spain has neighbours, because of whom it should maintain its dubious military capability.

"Spain at least looks for opportunities, while Greece completely refuses to share its tanks. Actually, even the willingness of the Spanish government to participate in sending Leopards to Ukraine is already good news," the author of the column points out.

The political scientist notes that Spain's participation in sending tanks not only makes its position towards Russia irreversiblу but also sends a powerful political signal to Latin America.

However, it may be possible only if the government keeps its enthusiasm in the face of critics.

As Zakubuv claims, if we could expect objections to sending tanks to Ukraine from the parties "Podemos," "Bildu," and the left-wing Catalan party in the Spanish parliament, then the largest right-wing opposition party surprised everyone with their proposal to discuss assistance to Ukraine in the parliament.

Thus, the Spanish MEP from the "People's Party" Esteban González Pons yesterday said: "It would be impossible in any democratic country for the government to send tanks to a warring country without explaining in the parliament how many, when, at what price, what other weapons and what risks. It is unbelievable that Spain would get so involved [in the war] against Russia without any explanation."

This politician called to send tanks to Ukraine if Germany agreed just a few weeks ago.

"The explanation for everything is the modern political context of Spain: local, regional, and national elections will be held here this year," the political scientist is confident.

This year is decisive for what Spain will be like for Ukraine by the end of the decade, therefore, for participation in the reconstruction of the post-war state.

At the same time, Yakubuv notes, it is not important to Ukraine who will win the elections - the right-wing or the socialists.

Despite sincere sympathy for Ukrainians and strong humanitarian solidarity in Spain, and not only there, it is easy to impose mistrust and skepticism towards Ukraine.

Striving to be among the political winners of the modern confrontation, the main dissonance within Spain creates immaturity in the understanding that the victory of Ukraine must mean the defeat of Russia.

In this case, clumsy communication from Ukraine and Ukrainians might increase skepticism and mistrust.

Spain also does not see Ukraine's attempts to oppose Russian propaganda in a language spoken by 580 million people.