Randahl Fink17h ago

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wins the internet this week with this striking characterisation of the wannabe dictator:

"The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire, just because they show up with a bucket of water."

(Thanks to @Paul_stilgar for this find.)

Show threadMarcin Jakubowski
@randahl @Paul_stilgar I wonder whether the Spanish prime minister would be just as principled if Spain were located where Latvia or Poland are. BTW, this is the same Spain that says which does not need to increase Europe’s defense capabilities.
1:57pmWeb
Show threadᴮᵉⁿ ᴿᵒʸᶜᵉVOTE IN THE PRIMARIES15h ago

@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar

i think that whatever the failings of spain on the issue of the ukraine war, we all understand these comments are in relation to the usa and israel's stupid war on iran, where sanchez's words are dead accurate

we are able to celebrate spain in this regard, while also castigating spain for its lukewarm approach on another topic, in different venues

we don't have to fit the entirety of the issues in the world in one social media post

Show threadmanoel12h ago
@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar that's a very questionable statement and even if true, he's more proucranian than other opposition parties
Show threadENIGMATICO  12h ago
@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar Understandably those countries next to the border have a very good reason to be scared and spend more in the military, but that doesnt mean every country in the EU needs a 5% of their GDP in defense. I remind you the goal at first was 3.5 but then Rutte said 5 to make "Daddy Trump" happy.

I remind you that even without the US, Europe has many countries, most of which are NATO members and even if the US does not participate, thats a lot against a country that can barely make any progress in Ukraine, a country with 10 times less defense than Russia. To me, it looks more like a deterrent than a real necessity.

For Spain, commiting to the 5% in defense would mean reducing a lot of funds in social security and wellfares/retirement funds. We already raised the defense spending to a 2.1 this year.
Show threadModestinoSycamore11h ago

@enigmatico @randahl @jakmarcin @Paul_stilgar

I would also like to point out that, according to the United States, any increase in European countries’ defence budgets must involve the purchase of American weapons. Buying European weapons – or from any country other than the US – is NOT at all looked upon favourably by the US administration.

Show threadENIGMATICO  11h ago
@ModestinoSycamore @randahl @jakmarcin @Paul_stilgar Yup. That's the whole point. They wanted a 5% instead of a 3% because Trump would make more money with that, and the EU agreed to it not only because of the deterrent factor, but also because they wanted to please Trump to have his favor in case of a war. Not because we really need a 5%. Plus, every country's GPD is different, tieing the defense spending budget to the GDP is a bit stupid imho. Some countries could do with less and some countries would need way more than a 5% to match the average spending of the EU.

And besides... not even the US spends a 5%.
Show threadguetto 🧑‍💻 🇪🇺11h ago

@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar

March 2026

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-madrid-as-ukraine-spain-set-to-sign-defense-agreements/

Spain unveils $1.2 billion in military aid for Ukraine

"(President Volodymyr Zelensky) has just arrived at the Sener Aerospace & Defense company. Here, he will inspect equipment samples and the production process," a presidential spokesperson said.

The Kyiv Independent
Show threadguetto 🧑‍💻 🇪🇺11h ago

@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar

Nov 2025

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spain-announce-substantial-ukraine-aid-package-during-zelenskiy-visit-2025-11-18/

Show threadguetto 🧑‍💻 🇪🇺11h ago

@jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar

May 2024

https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-signs-security-agreement-with-ukraine/

Ukraine gets €1B in arms and security pact with Spain

Kyiv is signing security deals with its allies while it waits to join NATO.

POLITICO
Show threadAurora 🐌7h ago
@guetto @jakmarcin @randahl @Paul_stilgar
And helping Ucranian people is also welcome refugees, something that Spanish goverment and spanish people has done.
Show threadEnyel of the Saintanne8h ago
@jakmarcin @Paul_stilgar
Well, one would not finance its number one enemy, and the number one enemy of Spain is the spanish army. I'd argue its the same for many other european states, but well. Not overfunding the army is self protection for Spain (7 coups in the last 100 years and counting)