Defense Minister Helena Carreiras said this evening, in Brussels, that Portugal is willing to help strengthen the operational skills of the Ukrainian military, with a new component of aid to the country.
“To offer training to Ukrainian soldiers and armed forces in Portugal to maneuver [carros de combate] Leopard, which is equipment they have “available, and “for which they need to train their soldiers”, pointed out the minister.
According to the minister Helena Carreiras, other aspects of the training that can be given to the troops is “in the area of demining and the inactivation of explosive devices”.
For now, the minister admits that there is still no estimate regarding the number of Ukrainian soldiers who may receive training in Portuguese territory, and “this assessment is still being carried out”.
“It has not, in fact, been implemented, nor do we have any concrete requests. We are evaluating, but we know that it is a need that will be faced by the Ukrainian armed forces,” he said.
The training component is focused on the future, but Helena Carreiras guarantees that the measure can go ahead as soon as it is requested. “If that’s Ukraine’s decision – and we always work in that direction, that is, it is according to Ukraine’s needs that we respond -, this training can be provided right away”, he assured, stressing that “it is not a situation only for the post-war”.
Helena Carreiras was speaking in Brussels, on the sidelines of the Meeting in which NATO members reiterated their support for Ukraine, responding to the NATO Secretary General’s proposal that, in addition to immediate help, members should commit to “long-term” support.
“I hope that, at the meeting, the allies will agree on a comprehensive package of assistance to Ukraine, for long-term assistance in the transition from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO equipment and to improve interoperability with NATO.” , he said.
“The allies are committed to continuing to provide the military equipment that Ukraine needs to succeed, including heavy weapons and long-range systems”, assured the NATO secretary general, after the Ukrainian government said that until today it has received “only 10%” of armament requested from the West.
Minister Helena Carreiras added that this topic was on the table. “It’s true that there’s a note that there are a lot of offers and a limited ability to get a lot of that material out on the ground,” she admitted.
“This was discussed today, and it was a warning, so that all countries can mobilize and bring these weapons to the ground,” said the minister.
The NATO Secretary General insisted on the need for continued support to Ukraine, through the deployment of weapons, including “heavy artillery and long-range equipment”.