Dnipropetrovsk Investment Agency (DIA) has prepared an overview of the international cooperation of Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk region amid the aggression of the russian federation. The material focuses on the support of the Portuguese Republic and foreign trade indicators based on DIABASE data.
Over the past year, Portugal has continued to provide consistent support to Ukraine by combining military, humanitarian, financial, political, and diplomatic assistance. Despite its relatively small size, Lisbon remains one of Ukraine’s reliable partners within the European Union and NATO, contributing to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities, supporting the Ukrainian population, facilitating the country’s recovery, and advancing its European integration. The Government of Portugal has repeatedly emphasized that support for Ukraine is a matter of protecting international law, European security, and democratic values.
One of the key areas of cooperation has remained military assistance. In 2025, the total volume of assistance amounted to approximately €226 million. These funds were allocated for the supply of military equipment, hardware, ammunition, and other weaponry in accordance with the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the agreements reached with NATO and European Union allies.
Political support for Ukraine has remained unwavering. In December 2025, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, paid an official visit to Kyiv, during which he confirmed that Portugal would continue providing military, financial, humanitarian, and diplomatic support to Ukraine. During meetings with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, and the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the parties discussed further deepening bilateral cooperation, post-war reconstruction, economic partnership, and Ukraine’s European integration. In addition, the Prime Minister of Portugal announced the country’s first contribution of €600 thousand to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. The contribution is intended for the emergency restoration of damaged energy infrastructure, procurement of equipment, and maintenance of heat and electricity supply in Ukraine.
At the international level, Portugal consistently supported all key European Union decisions concerning Ukraine. Lisbon advocated for maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia, using proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, strengthening defence assistance, and continuing financial support for the Ukrainian economy through European mechanisms. Portugal also supports Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and actively participates in shaping a common European policy for the country’s reconstruction.
On 11 June 2026, the Council of Ministers of Portugal approved expenditures of up to €130.4 million to support Ukraine throughout 2026. The decision was adopted within the framework of Portugal’s international commitments, particularly under NATO and the Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement signed with Ukraine in 2024. The package provides for the transfer of lethal and non-lethal military equipment, hardware, and other assets of the Portuguese Armed Forces. The assistance is to be delivered in stages throughout the year.
The Portuguese Republic also continued its work within international coalitions supporting the Ukrainian military. The country participates in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) by providing training for Ukrainian military personnel. In 2026, the Government of Portugal officially extended its participation in the mission by authorizing the deployment of up to 20 military personnel to train Ukrainian service members within the framework of the European training programme.
Portugal also continued participating in international defence coalitions. In 2025, it contributed to the F-16 Fighter Aircraft Coalition and financed the procurement of military equipment and weapons through joint European mechanisms supporting Ukraine. Furthermore, the country participated in financing the second package of military equipment for Ukraine through a multilateral procurement system coordinated by allied nations.
Portugal also continues to actively support Ukraine within NATO. In 2025, the country confirmed its intention to increase national defence spending in line with Alliance decisions, enabling it to continue participating in international assistance programmes for Ukraine and strengthening the common European security system.
Humanitarian assistance has remained another important component of Portugal’s support. Portugal continued to receive Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. Ukrainians benefit from the Temporary Protection Mechanism, which provides access to healthcare services, education, social protection, and the labour market. Particular attention has been paid by the Government to supporting the families of military personnel, children, and people who have experienced the trauma of war. At the beginning of 2026, Portugal welcomed a group of Ukrainian women and children—relatives of fallen and missing military personnel—to participate in a three-week psychological rehabilitation programme at the specialized Fénix Centre.
Portugal also places particular emphasis on Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Portuguese companies and public institutions participate in international platforms dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure, the development of the energy sector, transport, digitalization, and municipal governance. The Government of Portugal supports the involvement of the private sector in implementing projects aimed at rebuilding and developing Ukraine’s economy after the war.
The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for both countries. An analysis of export and import operations between the Dnipropetrovsk region and Portugal demonstrates a high level of partnership, as Portugal is an important trading partner of the region.
According to the results of the 9 months of 2025, the value of merchandise exports from Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to USD 7.5 million, representing almost a threefold increase compared to the corresponding period of 2024. The products in demand among Portuguese consumers include fats and vegetable oils, iron and steel and articles thereof, plastics and polymers, machinery and equipment, among others.
Export operations were carried out by more than 20 enterprises from Dnipropetrovsk region. The principal exporters were metallurgical, agricultural, mechanical engineering and processing enterprises.
TOP 5 Exporting Enterprises (ranked by export volume):
Imports of goods from Portugal to the Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to USD 3.4 million, representing an increase of 0.7% compared to the first nine months of 2024. Traditionally, Dnipropetrovsk region imported alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, pharmaceutical products, essential oils, electrical machinery, fish and crustaceans, various chemical products, and other goods.
Import operations were carried out by more than 50 importing enterprises.
TOP 5 Importing Enterprises (ranked by import volume):
Import operations were primarily conducted by pharmaceutical, food industry, trading, mechanical engineering and processing enterprises.
Source: information for preparing the article was taken from open online sources
