Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid on Thursday to appeal directly to leaders from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, asking them to help his country repair its electricity network before the onset of winter. Speaking to the 22-nation gathering, he stressed that Russian strikes have left virtually no part of Ukraine's energy infrastructure untouched.
"Every power plant in Ukraine has been damaged in one way or another by attacks," Zelenskyy said. He called for international cooperation to rebuild and repair the system, emphasizing that time is short. "We need equipment that works with our power grid and we need it fast. So please support directly to have connections with your companies, with your productions and get these supplies to Ukraine as quick as possible."
A first for Ukraine at the summit
The summit, hosted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, brought together representatives from 22 mainly Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, including Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, Honduran President Nasry Asfura, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and European Council President António Costa. It was the first time Ukraine was represented at the Ibero-American Summit, a fact Zelenskyy highlighted in a post on X.
"Since the start of the war, Ukraine has sought integration and the right kind of communication about this war with countries on the African continent and in Latin America," he wrote. "We need the diplomatic support of these countries. Every day, every month, and every year, relevant issues are raised at the UN General Assembly, and we are getting more and more votes from Latin America."
Zelenskyy's presence in Madrid was part of a broader diplomatic push to secure support beyond Ukraine's traditional Western allies. The visit also came as US-led efforts to revive peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow were gaining momentum, with trilateral talks reportedly set to resume next week in the United Arab Emirates.
Winter fears mount
Repeated Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in recent weeks have raised fears of another difficult winter. On Tuesday, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko described the situation in the capital as "extremely difficult," with rolling blackouts and heating shortages a real possibility as temperatures drop.
Zelenskyy called on leaders across the region to speak out against what he described as Russian "mass killings" carried out through bombings and drones. He thanked Spain for its continued support and set out a detailed list of urgent needs: transformers, power cables, electronic equipment, and diesel and gas generators to keep hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure running.
The appeal was not just about hardware. Zelenskyy sought to deepen political ties with Latin America, a region that has largely remained neutral in the conflict. He argued that Ukraine's fight is not only for its own sovereignty but for the principles of international law that matter to all nations.
While in Madrid, Zelenskyy also met with King Felipe VI to offer condolences over the recent train collision in Toledo and to brief him on the consequences of Russia's daily attacks on Ukraine. The visit underscored the growing importance of Spain as a diplomatic hub for Ukraine in Europe.
As winter approaches, the urgency of Zelenskyy's plea is clear. Without swift action, Ukraine's energy grid could face catastrophic failures, endangering millions of civilians. The response from Latin America, a region with significant industrial capacity, could prove decisive in helping Ukraine weather the coming months.
