Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has ruled out sending Portuguese troops to a war zone in Ukraine, but acknowledged that Portugal could join a “peacekeeping force” as part of an agreement that provides security guarantees.
“Portuguese citizens will not go to a war zone, that is certain. But if there is peace, it would not be the first time we have been part of peacekeeping forces,” said Paulo Rangel, responding to a question from Chega during a hearing at the parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities on Tuesday.
The minister highlighted the “commendable” work of Portuguese military personnel in the Central African Republic as part of United Nations and European Union missions, and their involvement in Slovakia and Romania within the framework of NATO.
Portuguese participation in missions in these two European countries, in fact, “is very similar to what (Portugal) may be asked to do in Ukraine in the future, if there is a peace treaty or an agreement that ensures absolutely indisputable levels of security,” the head of diplomacy pointed out.
Rangel acknowledged other forms of cooperation, such as “behind the scenes”, citing the Portuguese presence in the Baltic States and Lithuania, and through the defence industry.
Source: LUSA
