LONDON: The West’s double standards over Ukraine and Gaza threaten its global standing, Spain’s prime minister told The Guardian.

Pedro Sanchez, who has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, was speaking ahead of talks with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer in London on Wednesday.

Sanchez said he is pleased that other European countries are following Spain in recognizing a Palestinian state, but criticized the continent’s overall response to the war.

“It is a failure,” he said. “Absolutely. It is also the reality that, within the EU, there are countries that are divided when it comes to how to influence Israel.

“But in my opinion, it’s not acceptable and we can’t last longer if we want to increase our credibility when it comes to other crises, such as the one we face in Ukraine.”

He added: “The roots of these wars are completely different but, at the end of the day, the world is looking at the EU and also at Western society and asking: ‘Why are you doing double standards when it comes to Ukraine and when it comes to Gaza?’”

Sanchez said he is encouraging Europe to take tougher measures against Israel, including financially.

“What we’re now witnessing in Gaza is perhaps one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century, and in this regard what I have to say is that Spain has been very vocal within the EU and also within the international community,” he added.

“Within the EU, what we have done so far is advocate to suspend the strategic partnership that the EU has with Israel.”