Ukraine and Portugal Sign Bilateral Security Agreement
During his visit to Portugal on 28 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security cooperation agreement with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, according to the Office of the President of Ukraine.
This 10-year Ukrainian-Portuguese agreement provides for support to Ukraine in restoring its territorial integrity within the 1991 borders, including its territorial waters, as well as Portugal's support for reforms in Ukraine aimed at joining the European Union and NATO.
"The future of Ukraine is in NATO. Ukraine has made significant progress in reforms and will join NATO in the future when the allies agree and the conditions are met," the document states.
It is also reported that under this agreement, Portugal will provide military assistance to Ukraine amounting to €126 million this year. The Portuguese Prime Minister also noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Portugal has already provided Ukraine with 1,000 tonnes of military aid.
The agreement also confirms Portugal's participation in the F-16 coalition, the international maritime security coalition, the large-calibre ammunition procurement programme, and efforts in demining and strengthening maritime security.
Separate sections of the agreement are dedicated to bilateral cooperation in the defence industry, intelligence, combating organized crime and propaganda, as well as countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
At a press conference, Luís Montenegro said that he discussed with the Ukrainian President preparations for two important initiatives taking place in June: the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 11 and 12 June in Berlin, and the Global Peace Summit on 15 and 16 June. Subsequently, in the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Luís Montenegro confirmed Portugal's readiness "to be present at the highest level" at these events.
It should be noted that Portugal has become the twelfth country with which Ukraine has signed a security cooperation agreement aimed at providing long-term support amid Russia's aggressive war. On Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Spain, where he signed a similar agreement, and the next day he arrived in Belgium, where he also signed a security cooperation agreement.