Portugal backs Ukraine on security guarantees amid NATO and EU talks
Portugal’s foreign minister, João Gomes Cravinho, has highlighted the central role that security assurances for Ukraine play in the path toward European integration. Speaking with Die Presse, he explained that the absence of credible guarantees could slow down and complicate Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership, a process already closely watched by NATO and EU partners. The minister noted that even though the European Union does not possess the same military capabilities as NATO, it remains a crucial arena for advancing enlargement negotiations and shaping long term security arrangements in the region.
Cravinho stressed that the issue of security guarantees is not only a matter for alliance members but also a shared concern for the EU. He pointed out that these assurances are essential for unlocking Ukraine’s future as a full EU member, because the security framework directly influences the pace and feasibility of integration steps. The discussion, he argued, is intertwined with broader questions about how Europe can respond to regional threats while maintaining cohesion among member states and partners.
The foreign minister emphasized that Portugal supports Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing military operation, underscoring the wider implications for European security. He warned that a failure by Kyiv to secure credible guarantees could leave gaps in the continent’s protective architecture, potentially inviting greater instability and complicating efforts to maintain a stable security order.
Cravinho also referenced the conditions associated with Ukraine’s prospective accession, noting that any meaningful enlargement would require careful coordination among EU institutions and member states. The commitment to security assurances, he suggested, is a foundational element that would enable the EU to consider further commitments and reforms that align with Ukraine’s reform agenda and the broader goals of European safety and prosperity. [attribution: Die Presse interview summarized by INSIDE report]