Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with a Portuguese delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, João Gomes Cravinho.

The delegation also included Portuguese Minister of Education, João Costa.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Portugal for solidarity and effective support for Ukraine in countering Russian armed aggression, as well as for sheltering Ukrainian forced migrants.

Also, he praised Portugal’s readiness to join the restoration of educational institutions in Zhytomyr region and the results of the Zhytomyr Region Recovery Forum.

The recovery forum took place on February 5, 2024, in Zhytomyr with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Education of the Portugal.

During their meeting, particular attention was paid to the situation on the frontline and further defense cooperation between Ukraine and Portugal, particularly in the context of Portugal’s accession to the fighter jet coalition.

Additionally, the parties placed special emphasis on Portugal’s participation in the implementation of specific points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit.

“Thank you for supporting the Ukrainian Peace Formula, all points of which are very important for us. We are currently preparing the first summit at the level of leaders, and I hope for the participation of Portugal.”

Given the significant personal contribution of João Gomes Cravinho to the strengthening of interstate cooperation and support for Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, the President presented the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, III class, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

Kuleba Meets Portuguese Counterpart To Discuss Diplomacy, Military Support

In a post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba revealed that he met his Portuguese counterpart, Joao Cravinho in Kyiv to discuss Zelenskyy’s “Peace Formula, Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership, and increased military support from Portugal and the EU.”

Ukraine is attempting to secure support from European states as well as prioritise its own defence production capabilities amid concerns that supplies from the West might be faltering.

“Ukraine counts on the EU to speed up and increase the delivery of artillery shells in sufficient numbers,” Kuleba stated.

He asserted, “Ukrainian soldiers deserve and anticipate relevant decisions. I am grateful for Portugal’s support on this matter.”

Also, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister noted that a military and political shake-up confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will have no impact on Kyiv’s relations with its Western allies.

“I do not think that any changes in the government can influence our relations with our partners,” Kuleba said at a joint news briefing in Kyiv with his Portuguese counterpart.

Zelenskyy stated on Monday, February 5, 2024 that a “reset” is necessary and he was considering replacing several senior officials beyond the military sphere amid intense speculation that Ukraine’s army chief will be fired.

“We can have discussions about tactics inside of the team, but we are all united around our strategic goal, which is the defeat of Russia in Ukraine and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. And there are no discussions whatsoever on this strategic goal.”
Dmytro Kuleba

Also on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the Ukrainian parliament extended both its martial law and army mobilisation law imposed after the full-scale Russian invasion by a further 90 days or until mid-May.

Several members of parliament disclosed that a clear two-thirds majority voted in favour of both bills introduced by Zelenskyy.

Member of Parliament, Yaroslav Zhelezniak posted on Telegram that the bills had been approved, saying this was already the tenth vote of the Council for martial law.

Regular parliamentary and presidential elections have also been suspended.