NEC Senior Fellow Leo Litra Joins High-Level Dialogue in Madrid to Reshape Ukraine-Latin America Relations
On March 10, 2026, Leo Litra, Senior Fellow at the New Europe Center (NEC) and Visiting Fellow at ECFR, participated in the inaugural “Latin America and Ukraine: Building Mutual Understanding” workshop in Madrid. The event, organised by the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, convened a select group of influencers, experts, and policymakers to bridge the diplomatic gap between Kyiv and Latin American capitals.
The closed-door session, held under the Chatham House Rule, addressed the complex transformation of relations between the two regions following Russia’s continued aggression. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the recent U.S. interventions in Venezuela and Iran, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. Participants discussed how these developments alter the narrative of the war and create new scenarios for common geopolitical readings in both regions.
Litra and other attendees tackled the challenge of Russian disinformation, which often portrays Russia as a necessary counterbalance to U.S. hegemony—a view that persists in parts of Latin America. The dialogue focused on how Ukraine can present its own narrative, distinct from Moscow’s portrayal, while acknowledging the specific internal dynamics of Latin American nations.
Spain, leveraging its unique position as both a staunch defender of Ukrainian sovereignty and a key partner to Latin America, acted as the diplomatic bridge for this initiative. The strategic importance of the meeting was underscored by the high-level attendance, including the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and Josep Borrell, the former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Photo credit by CIDOB
This visit is funded by the UK government as part of the “Mutual Transformative Power: changing Ukraine through cooperation with wider Europe” project, implemented by the New Europe Center.
