Sánchez sagt seinen Nato-Partnern, die nukleare Aufrüstung sei ein „gefährliches Wagnis“: „Die notwendige Aufrüstung ist moralisch.“

TRANSLATION

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, rejected this Saturday an increase in nuclear deterrence policies and called on NATO powers to “put the brakes on and sign” to prevent a new arms race, because he believes that currently “the most necessary rearmament in the world is moral rearmament.”

This position contrasts with that expressed on Friday by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who stated that the United States will maintain a “strong presence” in the organization in the future, both at the nuclear and conventional levels.

During his speech at the roundtable discussion “On Par? Strengthening the Foundations of Transatlantic Security,” held at the Munich Security Conference, Sánchez emphasized that Spain has tripled its defense spending as a share of GDP in recent years and doubled the number of military personnel deployed in NATO missions.

The head of the Spanish executive said he is “firmly convinced” that the nuclear rearmament of recent years — which he put at 11 million dollars per hour — “is not the path to follow.” “Our parents and grandparents realized that nuclear deterrence is too costly and dangerous because on certain occasions technical and human errors brought us close to a war that would have pushed humanity to the brink of extinction,” he said.

In his view, “a system that requires zero errors is not a guarantee, it is a dangerous gamble.” “It is not a question of left or right. It is a historic mistake that we cannot repeat, with a shadow of uncertainty over AI,” Sánchez said, before “humbly” calling for preventing a new arms race that History “will judge.”

Sánchez argued for “stopping” Russian President Vladimir Putin and strengthening European deterrent capacity “in a controlled manner,” and called for “a true European Army not in ten years, but now,” contributing all necessary resources; for “empowering the institutions”; and for “investing in the values of solidarity, empathy and collaboration, because the rearmament most needed in the world is moral rearmament.”

Furthermore, the Spanish Prime Minister pointed out that it is necessary to develop European defense capabilities to guarantee security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, “in addition to offering security guarantees to international allies.”

Sánchez also defended the “strengthening of the multilateral system and greater empowerment of global institutions that have maintained global peace for decades.” He highlighted the development of the defense industry in Europe to reinforce autonomy, supporting “the strengthening of the European pillar” of defense within the Atlantic Alliance.

FOCUSING “NOT ONLY ON HOW MUCH IS SPENT, BUT ON SPENDING BETTER TOGETHER”

In a panel shared with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb; the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen; and U.S. Senator Christopher A. Coons, the Spanish President advocated “focusing more not only on how much is spent, but on spending better together,” warning that accepting the 5% of GDP defense spending target demanded by the United States “would mean greater dependence on the U.S. sector.”

He also said he does not understand “how some see the European project in the United States as a threat,” stressing that “it is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.” “We have decided to move forward in the European Union for the sake of global stability and peace,” he noted.

Along the same lines, Pedro Sánchez added that some look at the European Union “and would like to see it more fragmented,” but he defended the need to “deepen the internal market,” citing as an example the agreement with Mercosur and stating that “the United States must accept that in the future what they will have is a more integrated EU.”

They would have a different approach if Kaliningrad was their neighbor.

Failure to rearm is to let the dictators and imperialists of the world have a near-monopoly on hard power. That is the most dangerous gamble of all and only sets us up to have to compromise on our own moralities in the future, as we’ve put ourselves in a position to be coerced.

These sort of buzzwords and platitudes are out of place when you consider that Ukraine adhered to their agreement to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for guarantees from Russia that their sovereignty would be respected and the US that they would offer security guarantees. Russia broke their side of the agreement and the US is now led by a person who has a bipolar attitude to this conflict which he said he would end in 24 hours. Other countries who are closer neighbours to Russia have the right to do as they see fit to protect their sovereignty and if Spain were geographically next door I think they may be signing a different tune.

Allowing all nations to re-arm is a terrible idea. Can you imagine Hungary? Slovakia? Or basically any country that gets creeped up by facist governments? And that can be any country really.

If they have nukes, I want nukes. For any value of they. The only certainty is that those not protected by nuclear weapons are at the mercy of those who have them. 

I’m not surprised that most non-spaniards don’t know Sánchez enough. Even if you like their social politics (I mostly do), the government is, as of today, a lame duck in two ways: 1) they can’t approve budget. For 3 consecutive FYs! 2) He has to navigate through their coalition partners who are a wild bunch to say it midly.

Add to all that Sánchez would act only decisively in international affairs if he benefited from it, either as president (that benefit has to overcome the displeasure in the coalition) or perhaps in a future EU seat.

Spain has a nuclear power as its neighbour those in Eastern Europe who have Russia as a neighbour don’t get the luxury of making such naive statements

Spain needs to put up or shut up. You don’t get to pay nothing, and tell the rest of us what to do

A moral deterrent, and a sky shield made of hopes and dreams, maybe some unity to counter drones, and some thoughts and prayers to counter Oreshnik missiles. Shut the fuck up….

Long range high speed (supersonic) head of state decapitation drones with AI facial recognition on board would be both safer and more effective as both defence and first attack than any nuclear missile. And about €50m cheaper.

Brace yourselves: „but but Ceuta and Melilla“ comments incoming to defend the Spanish position. Comparing Marocco with Russia. The whole of Europe would back up Spain in case of a conflict. We all know the real reason why Spain doesn’t care is bc it’s a conflict far far away. Everything Pedrito says is to position himself and maintain power. He would sing a different tune if Marocco had nuclear weapons. Frankly to talk about moral from a very comfortable position while the Russians continue to invade Ukraine and kill thousands of people is quite disgusting.

Sanchez can not pay 5% in defense because his allies are far left and communists and this is his excuse

Putin has them

how about both

Sanchez is going for the „I am so morally superior than you“ route

Sánchez is a politically dead president whose single hand ruined the Spanish left for decades and is trying to say whatever it takes for internal political benefit, from starting beef with social media oligarchs to this.

Everything except bringing actual solutions or policies.

Yeah, I rather not be invaded by Russia than having the moral grandstanding thank you very much.