The President of the Republic guaranteed today that Portugal will maintain “for as long as necessary” support at various levels for Ukraine and condemned the “unjust, illegal and immoral war” caused by the Russian invasion.
“With our European partners and the Atlantic Alliance, we will maintain unequivocal political, military, financial and humanitarian support for as long as necessary”, assured Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in a message published in Portuguese and Ukrainian on the Presidency’s website.
The Presidency of the Republic told the Lusa agency that today, the day that marks the second anniversary of the invasion by Russia, the Belém Palace will be, from sunset, illuminated with the colors of Ukraine.
In his message, the Portuguese head of state expresses, on behalf of the Portuguese and in his own name, the “deep admiration for the courage, determination and resilience displayed” by the Ukrainian people, qualities that, he recalls, he had the opportunity to witness when he visited Ukraine last summer.
“On this date, I also want to pay tribute to the many thousands of fatal victims of this violent war perpetrated by Russia”, says Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The President of the Republic also highlights that Portugal maintains its “absolute condemnation of the unjust, illegal and immoral war” that continues to be carried out by Russia, in “flagrant violation” of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations.
“We must also not forget the thousands of Ukrainian children who were involuntarily deported to Russia, calling for the safe return of all these minors”, states the message.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also assures that Portugal maintains its “unshakable commitment” to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and that the authorities and the Portuguese “will continue to welcome in Portugal all those who want to take shelter here”.
“Ukraine’s place is in the European Union”, emphasizes the head of state, who expresses his satisfaction with the European Council’s decisions to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for the European Union and to open accession negotiations.
“We also support Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO, hoping that this moment can come soon”, says the President of the Republic, reiterating, at the end of the text, that “until the full sovereign integrity of Ukraine is reestablished and order restored, Portugal will continue to offer its support, without reservations”.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24, 2022, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since the Second World War (1939-1945).
Ukraine's Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to diminish Moscow's ability to finance the war effort.
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