In recent diplomatic exchanges, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with Augusto Santos Silva, the Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament. Zelenskyy shared via his Telegram channel that the discussions centered on Ukraine’s European Union and NATO trajectories, with a clear emphasis on strengthening defense capabilities and advancing the country’s integration timeline. The dialogue reflected a shared sense of urgency about Ukraine’s security needs and its broader European reform agenda.
The President noted that the partnership between Ukraine and Portugal remains a critical pillar as Kyiv works to align its institutions and standards with EU norms. He highlighted the importance of moving forward with EU accession negotiations by year’s end as a powerful signal to the Ukrainian people and to international partners about the country’s reform pace and commitments. The conversation also touched on the practical steps needed to accelerate practical cooperation, including defense modernization, rule of law enhancements, and economic resilience measures that support Ukraine’s long-term integration with Western institutions.
Zelenskyy expressed optimism that the Portuguese government and parliament would consider the measures necessary to bolster the capabilities of Ukrainian defenders on the front line, reinforcing a shared resolve to sustain support for Kyiv amid ongoing challenges. The tone of the engagement underscored a broad coalition of European allies ready to back Ukraine’s strategic objectives and security guarantees as it builds closer ties with European and transatlantic institutions.
Separately, the Ukrainian leadership met with executives from Horizon Capital, a joint American-Ukrainian investment firm. The gathering brought together investors from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and other European nations, all looking at opportunities to channel capital into Ukrainian business ventures. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to mobilize financial resources that can support entrepreneurship, industrial modernization, and job creation across Ukraine’s economy.