PM claims “there are Portuguese figures” suited to mediate Ukraine peace talks

Arriving in Brussels last night for an intense two-day meeting of European leaders, Portugal’s prime minister told reporters that there are “some Portuguese figures” who, he believes, could serve as the European Union’s interlocutor in any future peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Luís Montenegro said this in the context that European Council president António Costa has ‘opened channels’ with Moscow.

“I am not going to enter into a competition so that we can now choose or propose names to lead that process. What I can say, and I have no problem stating it, is that there are some figures, particularly Portuguese ones, who would perform that role very well—that is my conviction,” Luís Montenegro said as he arrived for the two-day meeting.

The ‘great doubt’ over this meeting of the European Council (‘great doubt’ being the words of Correio da Manhã today) is how Ukraine can become part of the European Union. Portugal is available to “explore instruments that could integrate candidate countries in a transitory way,” said the PM, but there is still no established model for these instruments.

António Costa meantime has stressed member states’ unwavering support for Ukraine. President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has “gone further”, stressing she believes that “over the summer new chapters can be opened” so that Ukraine can enter Europe.

As for ‘other matters’ on the agenda, these include the EU budget – which Portugal is particularly focused on. The PM explains that, initially, it looked as if Portugal “would be losing millions (…) Now it is in a better position as a consequence of a letter” sent to the commission. But still nothing has been fully confirmed.

Source: Correio da Manhã/ noticiasaominuto

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.