Portugal has been helping Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion to our land, providing political, financial, humanitarian and defense assistance.

Ukraine will receive from Portugal up to €250 mln of financial support. The first €100 mln tranche is expected to be received by Ukraine this year. This will help Ukraine to maintain macroeconomic stability during the war and allow a quicker recovery after our victory.

Russian diplomats around the world have felt the full impact of their country becoming a rogue country because of the aggression against Ukraine. Many members of the Russian diplomatic corps are being expelled from the borders of civilized countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal has also declared 10 employees of the Russian embassy in Lisbon persona non grata, whose activities are contrary to the national security.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union, with the support of Portugal, has approved the following sanctions against Russia: a ban on entry or transit through the European Union and the freezing of funds and economic resources of persons related to the Russian and Belarusian governments; economic and financial sanctions to restrict Russia’s access to European Union financial and capital markets; the application of restrictive measures in the defense, energy, aerospace and other areas of Russia.

In the first weeks of the war, thousands of Portuguese, along with Ukrainians, repeatedly came out on the streets of Lisbon. Meetings were held in different cities in the north and south of Portugal. Their participants asked to close the airspace to Russia, to close all Moscow propaganda agencies, and to impose sanctions against all Russians who support Putin. On March 6 in Lisbon, a party was held in the Trade Square, and on March 24, protests near the Moscow embassy were held. Many actions were organized by the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal and Portuguese community activists. They were also joined by the Ukrainian Embassy in Portugal.

On March 27 the Save Ukraine – #StopWar international charity television marathon was broadcasted on the central square of the capital and Cascais. Portuguese singer Salvador Sobral, winner of Eurovision 2017, took part in the marathon. He recorded a video in support of Ukraine and performed the song “Obijmy” by Okean Elzy with a guitar.

The program “Portugal for Ukraine” is an initiative of the Portuguese government, which aims to integrate all current actions in connection with the military aggression of russia against Ukraine, in the dimensions of international action, the direction of humanitarian support, integration and reception of displaced persons in Portugal. Portugal has created a special program to protect Ukrainian citizens from war by eliminating the need for a visa. The Iberian country simplified documentation requirements and provided automatic access to health, social security and financial systems. Multidisciplinary emergency teams were also created. To ensure quick and full integration, Portugal created a list of employment opportunities and subsidies for housing/accommodation, allowing for adjustments to existing needs and opportunities (public or private).

As of today, Portugal has provided Ukraine with 315 tons of equipment, including personal protective equipment, ammunition, weapons, as well as medical supplies, vehicles and drones. Also the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense Forces and IDPs received 22 tons of food and 2 tons of humanitarian aid from the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal and the IZIDORO/Montalva group.

The Government of Portugal has sent to the Armed Forces of Ukraine 15 tracked M113A4 armored personnel carriers, 4 Iveco M 40.12 armored vehicles, 5 towed M114 howitzers of 155 mm caliber, 50 radiostations and firearms. The number of armored vehicles of this type is 10% of the active fleet of Portuguese M113s. Portugal is ready to train Ukrainian servicemen in Portugal to maneuver “Leoaprd” tanks.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa confirmed his readiness to join the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. He noted that his country could become a supervisor of the reconstruction of schools and kindergartens destroyed by the hostilities.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation remains an important priority for the two countries.

The analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Portugal demonstrates a high level of partnership relations, because the state is an important trade partner of the region.

According to the results of 2021, the volume of exports from the Dnipropetrovsk region increased 2.7 times ($14.1 million), which amounted to 4.1% of Ukraine’s volume to Portugal. Among the goods that are in greatest demand among Portuguese consumers are ferrous metals and articles made of them, crops, machines and mechanisms, etc.

Export operations were carried out by 21 companies from Dnipropetrovsk region.

The main exporting companies are enterprises of metallurgical complex, agro-industrial complex and processing industry.

TOP-5 exporting companies (ranking by the volume of exported products):

Imports of goods from Portugal to Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $4.2 million (4.8% of Ukraine’s imports from Portugal) and remained at the level of 2020. Dnipropetrovsk region traditionally bought processed vegetable products, medicines, machinery and equipment, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Import operations were carried out by 64 importer enterprises.

TOP-5 importer enterprises (ranking by the volume of imported products):

Among the promising areas for export to Portugal are the products of the metallurgical complex, organic products of the agro-industrial sector and products of light industry from natural materials.