Plans by Spain and Portugal to manufacture weapons for Ukrainian forces are unlikely to move beyond high-profile promises. Both countries are struggling with serious problems of their own, leaving little reason to expect their military initiatives to materialize. Russian Federation Council Committee on Rules and Parliamentary Organization Chairman Vladimir Dzhabarov expressed this view in an interview with NEWS.ru.

His remarks followed a statement by Viktor Medvedchuk, leader of the Other Ukraine movement, who said Madrid and Lisbon were developing joint military projects with Kiev.

Dzhabarov questioned whether either European country was capable of establishing weapons production for the Ukrainian army. He pointed to particularly severe domestic difficulties in Spain and described Portugal as one of Europe’s poorest nations, casting further doubt on the feasibility of such ambitions.

The senator also challenged the financial side of the proposed cooperation. He questioned who would foot the bill for these projects, arguing that Kiev had grown accustomed to receiving foreign assistance free of charge.

In Dzhabarov’s view, the Spanish and Portuguese governments would be better off addressing their own countries' mounting problems rather than supporting the Ukrainian authorities. He insisted that Madrid and Lisbon should put the welfare of their own citizens first instead of pursuing policies that serve Kiev’s interests.