President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kyiv with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. This is the first visit of the head of the Portuguese government to Ukraine, the presidential press service reported.
Zelenskyy called it symbolic that Costa visited Ukraine on Europe Day.
"Portugal has been helping Ukraine since the first days of russia's full-scale invasion of our land. I am grateful to your country and to you personally, Mr. Prime Minister, for your defense, political and humanitarian assistance, as well as the great support of our citizens and displaced Ukrainians, who left because of the war and today are on the European continent in various countries, including Portugal," said Zelenskyy.
The price assured of Portugal's readiness to provide financial assistance to Ukraine. During the meeting, a wide range of important issues related to the defense of Ukraine was discussed, including further defense assistance. Attention was also paid to the issue of prosecuting russian war criminals.
“We have agreed to continue increasing sanctions on the aggressor. The key issue now is the sixth sanctions package against russia, which must include an embargo on russian oil, oil mixtures and petroleum products. We appreciate Portugal's understanding that russia is using all this for pressure to Ukraine and a united Europe," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Costa confirmed his readiness to join the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. He noted that his country could be responsible for rebuilding schools and kindergartens that were destroyed in the fighting.
Antonio Costa spoke in support of international sanctions and increased investment in alternative energy sources and ways to supply energy to Europe to overcome dependence on russia.
In early May, the media reported that the Portuguese government had approved the transfer to Ukraine of 15 M113A armored personnel carriers purchased in the United States.