Is Europe preparing for a 'secret' meeting on Ukraine?
According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, European countries supporting Ukraine will hold a secret meeting in Madrid next week to coordinate efforts to increase military and financial support for Kyiv.
The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported on October 31st that pro-Ukraine factions in Europe will secretly meet in Madrid next week to coordinate efforts to increase support. According to a government document cited by the newspaper, organizers are reportedly maintaining "maximum secrecy" for the event, scheduled for November 4th. Delegates from 35 countries have been instructed to leave their mobile phones in a designated room and not post information about the meeting on social media.
The participants are expected to discuss ways to increase military and financial aid to Kyiv, as well as possibilities for ensuring security. They will also coordinate measures to exert additional pressure on Russia. El Mundo reports that Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares is expected to attend.
Earlier in October, the Kremlin argued that Ukrainian forces could not have carried out attacks on energy facilities deep inside Russian territory without direct support from Western intelligence agencies. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Western military support would only escalate the conflict without altering the situation on the battlefield.
Recently, US President Donald Trump refused to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles, while also warning against depleting the US arsenal. He also indefinitely postponed a planned in-person summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary.