Russia withdraws request to refuel warship in Spain

The Russian embassy in Spain today confirmed that Moscow had withdrawn a request for a group of warships to refuel in the Spanish port of Ceuta, the RIA news agency reported.

It did not give a reason for the change of plan.

The battle group is expected to take part in Russia’s military operation in Syria. The Spanish government had drawn criticism from its NATO allies, who had accused it of hypocrisy for giving Russian warships permission to refuel in its territory.

Russian warships including its air-carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, were due to dock in the Spanish territory of Cueta, on the tip of Africa’s north coast, which is also contested by Morocco.

Reacting to the pressure from its allies, spokespersons from foreign ministry told daily newspaper El Pais that Russia’s request to refuel would be reviewed.

NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, who has been highly critical of Spain’s decision, said yesterday: “We are concerned and I have expressed this very clearly, about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia’s ability and to be a platform for airstrikes against Syria.”

“It is for each nation to decide whether these ships can get supplies and re-fuelling in different harbours along the route towards the eastern Mediterranean.”

Although Spain has maintained that permission had been given on an individual basis, taking into consideration the economic contribution to the local economy, Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, tweeted: “Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in #Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously?”