UPDATE - Spanish premier says Putin should be isolated from int'l community

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY SPANISH PREMIER; ADDS BACKGROUND

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The Spanish prime minister on Tuesday said it is "important" to isolate the Russian president from the international community due to the war he launched on Ukraine and its global effects.

"It's important to isolate (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from the international community, and this is something that we are doing. ... I think it is very important to keep in mind that this is a global challenge," Pedro Sanchez told the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and what is now at stake is international order that it is fulfilling or respecting."

Sanchez also underlined the need for EU's "open strategic autonomy" to create new ties on trade with other regions, such as Latin America.

Reiterating the need to move towards energy independence following the war launched by Moscow, he explained the €16-billion ($17.1 billion) package unveiled by Spain to mitigate the consequences of the war by putting a cap on the price of gas and a discount on fuel in his country.

On Ukrainian people seeking refuge, he said: "We will welcome Ukrainian refugees in our country -- now totaling over 100,000 -- for as long as needed."

At least 3,930 civilians have been killed and 4,532 injured since Russia launched its war on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is believed to be significantly higher.

Nearly 6.5 million people have fled to other countries, while over 7.7 million people have been internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

- Finland, Sweden to join NATO meeting in Madrid

Regarding the NATO meeting that will be held late June in Madrid, the prime minister said Finland and Sweden, which recently applied to join the alliance, will be among the participants as well.

"We are going to welcome two new countries into NATO and of course, I think this is also very important for the European Union's stability and for NATO's future."

Both countries formally applied to join NATO last week -- a decision spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24.

But Turkiye, a longstanding member of the alliance, has voiced objections to the membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terrorist groups.