President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Portuguese President arrived in Kyiv on August 23, after his Official Visit to Poland, to reiterate Portugal’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people following the Russian invasion and the continuity of support from the Portuguese and Portugal.
This first day of the visit began in Bucha, the site of one of the massacres caused by the Russian occupation, where numerous civilians were found in mass graves. At the memorial, erected in memory of the victims, the President of the Republic reinforced Portugal’s support in forensic investigations to bring those responsible for the massacre to justice. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also went to Aldeia de Moshchun, one of the many villages destroyed by Russian attacks, to the city of Horenka, to visit Banksy’s mural, a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance, and to the Romanivskyi Bridge, in Irpin, a bridge destroyed but not conquered.
In Kyiv, the President of the Republic of Portugal laid a wreath next to the wall of the fallen defenders of Ukraine. At the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, the President of the Republic visited the exhibition “Ukraine – Crucifixion.”
Welcoming his colleague, the President of Ukraine noted that it was the first visit of the President of Portugal to Ukraine in 25 years. It was symbolic that it took place on National Flag Day and Independence Day in Ukraine. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa participated in the 3rd Crimea Platform Summit in Kyiv and spoke in Ukrainian at the Independence Day celebrations in St. Sophia Square.
“I thank you, Mr. President, for these very important manifestations of support for our state, our people and our Ukrainian independence,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
During the negotiations, the two leaders focused on defense and security cooperation. The President of Ukraine informed his counterpart about the situation on the battlefield and the defense needs of our country.
“Portugal is a member of our tank and aviation coalitions. Today, Portugal has confirmed its readiness to join the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 jets,” the Head of State said.
They also discussed opportunities for expanding defense cooperation, including supplying armored medical vehicles and demining equipment to Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of Portugal’s accession to the Joint Declaration of the G7 on security guarantees for Ukraine.
In addition, the Presidents of Ukraine and Portugal discussed the initiatives for the Ukraine-Latin America and Ukraine-Africa Summits. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine counts on supporting these initiatives from Portugal and personally from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Head of State stressed that Portugal consistently supports Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, for his part, said that his country has never recognized the annexation of Crimea and supports Ukraine at all levels and will do so as long as necessary to achieve peace, as the consequences of this war affect many people worldwide. He also stated that Portugal is taking part in reconstructing cities destroyed by Russia and assured that Portuguese companies will intensify their work in Ukraine.
