Marcelo believes that Zelensky’s visit demonstrated the continuity of governments in supporting Portugal

The President of the Republic on Wednesday considered that Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Portugal demonstrated the continuity between the previous head of the PS and the current PSD/CDU-PP government in the policy of supporting Ukraine.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke to reporters after attending the opening of the 94th Lisbon Book Fair, visiting part of the venue.

When asked about the visit of the President of Ukraine to Portugal on Tuesday afternoon, the Head of State replied: “I believe that it was an important visit because it allowed us to strengthen the ties that already existed, thanks to the visit of Prime Minister António Costa, on the departure of the Chairman Assembly of the Republic of Santos Silva, about my departure thereafter [à Ucrânia]now with a new government.”

Marcelo Rebelo de Souza stressed that the bilateral security cooperation agreement signed with the PSD/CDS-PP government led by Luis Montenegro during this visit was “prepared since the previous government, started to be prepared under the previous government.”

“So what does continuity between governments mean in policy towards Ukraine?” – he said.

The President of the Republic stated that “this was indeed done by the government [anterior] Prime Minister António Costa, who launched Portugal’s bellicose support for Ukraine, namely, in addition to humanitarian assistance, military support and financial support.”

“It was Prime Minister António Costa who, during his reign, really decided to increase support by 100 million people. [de euros] to Ukraine earlier this year. And there is continuity in this government, which is intended to celebrate the agreement that began to be prepared earlier,” he added.

Asked about the meeting, which was followed by a dinner with Volodymyr Zelensky at the Belém Palace, which was also attended by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the head of state reiterated the message of continuity in Portugal’s foreign policy.

“What I can say is that it has become clear that Portugal takes a position in foreign policy that does not depend on the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, or the government that is in power. It’s very consistent and very consistent,” he said.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made a two-day visit to Ukraine last August at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the 32nd anniversary of that country’s independence.

During this visit, he visited Kyiv, Bucha, Moshchun, Irpen and Gorenka as a sign of support for Ukrainians in the war to defend themselves against invasion by the Russian Federation, which began in February 2022.