Zelenskyy Holds First Call With Newly Inaugurated President of Portugal António José Seguro

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first phone conversation with the newly inaugurated President of Portugal, António José Seguro, according to European Pravda on March 16.

During the conversation, Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the support Portugal has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He specifically mentioned Portugal’s contributions to the PURL  program.

The two leaders focused on future cooperation regarding security and economic recovery.

“We discussed the possibility of joint weapons production, the participation of Portuguese businesses in the recovery of Ukraine, and our path toward European Union membership,” Zelenskyy stated.

António José Seguro won the presidential election after a second-round vote on February 8, where he finished significantly ahead of André Ventura, the leader of the far-right Chega party.

Seguro officially took his oath of office as the new President of Portugal on March 9.

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Portugal Sends Six Ka-32 Firefighting Helicopters to Ukraine

Sep 08, 2024 11:52

In Portugal, the president is elected for a five-year term and can be re-elected once. While the role is largely ceremonial, the president holds important constitutional duties.

These include appointing the prime minister, dissolving parliament, and vetoing legislation. The president also serves as a key political mediator during times of institutional tension.

Previously, Portugal provided Ukraine with eight SA-330 Puma helicopters as part of a military assistance package. Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo confirmed the transfer, noting that the aircraft had been in storage since 2012 before being prepared for delivery.

These helicopters featured advanced systems, including X-band radar for surface target detection and a fire control system capable of deploying anti-ship missiles.

While the fleet was aging, having served in various missions since the 1970s, the transfer was intended to provide Ukraine with increased operational flexibility for naval support and search-and-rescue efforts.

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