PM calls for “strict respect for international law”
Portugal’s embassy in Kyiv was damaged yesterday morning, along with the diplomatic missions of five other countries, in an attack on the centre of the Ukrainian capital by Russian ballistic missiles.
The government, in the form of the prime minister Luís Montenegro and foreign affairs minister Paulo Rangel, has condemned the incident – the latter stressing that it is “absolutely unacceptable that there can be attacks that have an impact, or aim at diplomatic installations”.
Mr Rangel’s ministry has already presented a formal protest to the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Federation in Portugal.
The prime minister meantime wrote over social media: “In the face of yet another horrific Russian attack on Kyiv, now with an intolerable impact on Portuguese diplomatic facilities, I am grateful for the European solidarity of the Commission President (Ursula von der Leyen) and the High Representative (Kaja Kallas)”.
Ursula von der Leyen wrote over ‘X’: “Another heinous Russian attack against Kyiv. This time on a building hosting the Embassy of Portugal and several other diplomatic services. Putin’s disregard for international law reaches new heights. Solidariedade com Portugal”.
No-one was hurt in the incident, although those present in the building described a “strong blast” that sent them rapidly into the underground bunker “for protection”.
PSP operatives remain on duty within the mission, and will be staying there in spite of this latest escalation.
In total, eight missiles hit Kyiv in the attack which rocked four neighbourhoods, killing at least nine people and injuring several others.
Reports say the missiles destroyed the heating of 630 buildings, including medical installations, schools and kindergartens “at a time when temperatures round out at 4º below freezing”.
Russia has labelled the attack as a response to Ukraine’s continued use of North American weapons. The European Union has labelled it “barbaric”, as well as a clear sign that Russia is not interested in peace.
President Marcelo meantime has repeated that it was (yet) another violation of international law.
The other diplomatic missions damaged by the various missiles – which included hypersonic Kinzhals, and Iskander/KN 23s – were those of Albania, Argentina, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and the Palestinian Authority.
