On December 19, Russian missiles struck multiple targets in Ukraine, resulting in damage to the Portuguese embassy in Kyiv and five other diplomatic missions in the area, damaging a building housing the diplomatic offices of multiple countries.
The embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Portugal, housed in the same building, were damaged due to the strike.
There were no casualties among diplomatic staff, it was reported. Such attacks on diplomatic missions are clear violations of international law and escalate tensions in the region. The international community is closely monitoring the unfolding situation.
On Thursday, Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, condemned the attack, stating, “Portugal vehemently condemns the military action triggered by Russia today on Ukrainian soil.”
This incident follows heightened tensions between Russia and Portugal, notably in September 2024, when Russia threatened retaliatory measures against Portugal for sending military equipment to Ukraine.
Reacting to the missile attack that damaged the Portuguese embassy in Kyiv, the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also regretted the “damage” and emphasized that “Portuguese territory in the middle of Ukraine” had been hit.
Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister, the President announced that “an investigation should be carried out with the country in question and that this should be communicated publicly,” underscoring Portugal’s stance that the attack constitutes “a violation of the rules of International Law.”
“Portugal had no other option but to react—and react firmly and immediately—because this is a precedent that translates into a violation of the rules of International Law,” President Rebelo de Sousa stated, without elaborating further.
In 2022, in an official statement, Rebelo de Sousa voiced Portugal’s condemnation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. He reiterated Portugal’s “vehement condemnation” expressing solidarity with Ukraine’s “courageous resistance.”
The President highlighted the active role of the Portuguese government in supporting Ukraine through various ministries and praised “the exceptional Ukrainian community in Portugal,” which comprises approximately 28,000 nationals who have settled in the country as laborers in recent years.
At the request of Ukrainian authorities, Portugal has pledged to supply military equipment, including vests, helmets, night vision goggles, grenades, ammunition of various calibers, portable radios, analog repeaters, and G3 automatic rifles. Portugal also announced plans to deploy 175 military personnel from the Air Force, Navy, and Army to assist Ukrainian soldiers in securing their borders. In the second phase, another 472 military personnel, with 36 tactical vehicles and two naval warships.
Portugal is one of the 30 member nations of NATO, one of the world’s most powerful military alliances. NATO’s mission includes providing rapid defense responses to its allies. Under Article V of the NATO charter, an attack on any member nation is considered an attack on the entire alliance.
PAJ/Staff
