Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a significant one-day visit to Spain on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, where he took the opportunity to view Pablo Picasso’s iconic anti-war masterpiece, ‘Guernica.’ The painting, renowned for its harrowing depiction of the 1937 bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, stands as a timeless symbol of the atrocities of war and civilian suffering. Zelenskyy’s visit to the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, where the painting is housed, carried profound symbolism, drawing parallels between the devastation of Guernica and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Accompanied by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Zelenskyy’s gesture underscored the shared historical and contemporary struggles against aggression and tyranny. The Ukrainian leader had previously referenced ‘Guernica’ in a poignant address to Spain’s parliament in April 2022, likening the plight of Ukrainians under Russian bombardment to the horrors depicted in Picasso’s work. Zelenskyy’s European tour, including his stop in Spain, highlights Kyiv’s efforts to maintain international solidarity and support as Ukraine continues to resist Russian invasion. The visit also comes amid domestic challenges, including a corruption scandal that threatens to divert attention from the war effort. ‘Guernica,’ which was banned from Spain during the Franco dictatorship and returned in 1981 as a symbol of democratic resilience, remains a powerful reminder of the enduring fight for freedom and justice.
Zelenskyy visits Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ painting after drawing parallel to Ukraine’s bombing
