The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU got off to a strong start on 1 July with a visit by Pedro Sánchez to Kiyv, followed two days later by the traditional visit of the European Commission to Madrid (see EUROPE B13214A1). Ministerial meetings got underway on 10 July. Spain is a fair and highly respected partner, well represented at the European Council by its head of government, who has forged many alliances there and reasserts his values whilst remaining open to compromise. The...