"By defending Ukraine, we are not only protecting the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also supporting the right to legitimate self-defense enshrined in the UN Charter," Robles said at a meeting with her German and French colleagues in Madrid.

Read also: As Ukraine gears up for offensive, Spain delays transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine

The Spanish Leopard tanks, which were shipped from Santander last Saturday, are of an older model – Type 2A4. They have long been out of service and have been stored at a warehouse near Saragossa since 2012.

Before being sent to Ukraine, the tanks were refurbished and tested for use on the battlefield.

Read also: Spain to send Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine within days, minister says

Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Ukrainian tank crews had already started training on older Leopard-1 tanks and that 80 of these vehicles would gradually be transferred to Ukraine in 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine