Zelenskyy Seeks Latin American Support at Madrid Summit

November 5, 2026 Priya Shah – Business Editor Business

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Madrid to attend the 30th Ibero-American Summit, where he sought to bolster international support for his country amid ongoing Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure. During the summit, Zelenskyy engaged with several Latin American heads of state and government to request specific assistance to maintain power and heat for millions of Ukrainians as winter approaches.

The Ukrainian leader, who was received in Spain by Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI, utilized the platform to detail urgent supply requirements. Zelenskyy specifically requested transformers from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia, as well as electrical cables from Chile and generators from Spain. These components are essential to repairing the damage caused by systematic Russian strikes on the Ukrainian power grid, which have triggered large-scale outages.

LIVE: Ibero-American summit briefing in Madrid

Diplomatic Outreach to Latin America

While many Latin American nations have formally condemned the Russian war of aggression, their direct participation in providing aid to Ukraine has remained limited. During the 30th Ibero-American Summit, Zelenskyy urged regional leaders to raise awareness of the conflict within their own countries. “Sorgen Sie dafür, dass die Welt von diesen Verbrechen erfährt” (Ensure that the world learns of these crimes), he stated, as reported by the Spanish broadcaster RTVE.

Prime Minister Sánchez echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the responsibility for supporting Ukraine should not rest solely on European nations. He warned that if the global community fails to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and international law, it risks legitimizing “das Recht des Stärkeren” (the right of the stronger).

Zelenskyy makes surprise visit to Madrid for talks with Sánchez and Latin American leaders

High-Level Consultations in Madrid

  • Zelenskyy held meetings with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the Vice President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera.
  • The visit included a formal reception at the Zarzuela Palace, the residence of King Felipe VI, as noted by reports from the event.
  • The summit provided a forum for the Ukrainian president to address the humanitarian consequences of the war, particularly the threat to heat supplies for millions of people during the winter months.

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