Zelenskyy calls off Spain trip amid Russian assault in Kharkiv

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has canceled his planned visit to Spain on 17 May, Spanish media EFE reported, citing sources in the Spanish Royal Household. This comes after earlier announcements that Zelenskyy would meet with King Felipe VI and have lunch at the Royal Palace. According to the EFE, the royal palace did not provide reasons for canceling the visit, which would have been Zelenskyy's first bilateral trip to Spain. Zelesnkyy also planned to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to sign a security agreement. Meanwhile, EFE writes that the diplomatic sources have said that the cancellation of the Ukrainian president's trip, which was also to include Portugal, is due to Ukraine's complex situation amid the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. On 10 May, Russian forces renewed the offenssive … The Spanish government had not officially announced the visit before, although sources said preparations and plans to sign a bilateral security agreement during Zelenskyy's stay. During his official visit to Spain, the Ukrainian president was reportedly going to have a meeting with King Felipe VI, followed by lunch at the Royal Palace. Albares revealed he had spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on 13 May but insisted he would not comment on a possible Zelenskyy trip "for many reasons, including security." At midnight, the Zarzuela Palace informed of the cancellation of the previously announced events with Zelenskyy.