OVIEDO, Spain 

Spain’s premier on Sunday argued that peace in Ukraine must be achieved, but not at the cost of rewarding Russia’s “neo-imperialism.”

During a Socialist Party rally ahead of a leaders' summit in the UK, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his unprecedented row with American leadership in the Oval Office.

“In the 21st century, relationships between countries are about alliances, not vassal states,” said Sanchez. “Today, we are defending an international order of free, equal, and sovereign states — that’s why we defend Ukraine.”

Sanchez also referenced US President Donald Trump’s attack on Zelenskyy that Ukraine has no cards to play.

“This isn’t about good cards or bad cards,” said Sanchez. “What matters is the United Nations Charter.”

He argued that the most important principle of international law is the sovereignty of states, which is why it is essential to defend the nation that has been attacked, not the aggressor.

“We cannot defend the law of the wild west, or of might makes right,” he said.

The Spanish premier also advocated for a stronger and more united Europe.

"'More Europe' is not a slogan; it’s life insurance,” he said. “Today more than ever, in such trying times with pandemics, wars, and inflationary and energy crises, we must opt for more Europe.”

He also accused unnamed “technocrats” of wanting to break up and weaken the EU to benefit their business interests.