WASHINGTON, May 12 – U.S. President Joe Biden and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are set to hold a crucial meeting at the White House on Friday, where they will address pressing issues including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, defense cooperation, and migration.
Both leaders share the view that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a clear violation of international law. However, Prime Minister Sanchez plans to present the perspectives of non-NATO nations such as China and Brazil, whose opinions on the conflict differ from those of the United States. A Spanish diplomatic source revealed that Sanchez will advocate for listening to the viewpoints of countries affected by the war, in an effort to foster a more inclusive dialogue.
China’s recent 12-point peace plan received a skeptical response from the United States. While Beijing called for respecting sovereignty as its first point, the U.S. emphasized that China should urge Russia to withdraw from Ukraine if it truly values sovereignty.
Similarly, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva faced criticism from the U.S. for suggesting that the West had contributed to the conflict by arming Ukraine. However, the White House acknowledged that China and Brazil could potentially play a role in future peace talks, emphasizing that any resolution must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A White House official affirmed that the United States supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s call for a just end to Russia’s “war of choice” and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sanchez for Spain’s assistance in providing security and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Dan Fried, a former U.S. diplomat at the Atlantic Council think tank, expressed doubt that Prime Minister Sanchez would advocate for the United States to give greater consideration to Chinese and Brazilian perspectives on the conflict. Fried suggested that Spain’s proposal for increased outreach to the Global South regarding Russia’s aggression might be seen as constructive, particularly if Spain were willing to contribute actively.
The White House official further confirmed that President Biden would express appreciation for Spain’s commitment to collaborating on expanding “migration pathways” for individuals from Latin America. In addition, they would discuss efforts to strengthen the defense relationship between the United States and Spain.
The meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Sanchez carries significant weight as they address the Ukraine conflict, seek avenues for resolving it, and explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation in defense and migration. The outcomes of their discussions will shape the approach of the United States and its allies in addressing the ongoing challenges in Ukraine and beyond.
