Portuguese aid to Ukraine will reach more than €220 million this year and will be repeated in 2025, according to the prime minister, who has reiterated Portugal’s commitment to reach a 2% of GDP investment in defence by 2029. Luís Montenegro was speaking to journalists before a dinner at Portugal’s official residence in Washington, accompanied by the ministers foreign affairs, Paulo Rangel, and defence, Nuno Melo, as part of the NATO summit taking place until tomorrow (Thursday). He explained the numbers behind the 2% commitment: they will take the country’s defence spending up to around €6 billion by 2029 and involve investment “in the capacity to recruit and retain human capital and in valuing the careers of the military”, as well as investment in equipping the Armed Forces, both with technology ‘made-in-Portugal’ (like unmanned vehicles), and other ‘highly competitive’ material in areas as basic as the textile industry.
Aid to Ukraine this year to total €220 million, same next year – PM
Portugal's PM can be seen 3rd on the right at the back: NATO's full line up, at the summit ongoing in Washington. Image: @LMontenegropm
