Luís Montenegro was speaking at a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, as part of his first visit to Kiev as Prime Minister.

“Portugal and Ukraine have, in terms of unmanned vehicles, knowledge that is today at the forefront of the world,” he highlighted.

The Prime Minister announced the availability to produce in Portugal “drones with Ukrainian technology and scientific knowledge,” as well as the country's availability to bring its experience and scientific knowledge to its “productive capacity in Ukraine.”

“That is really the objective of the agreement we have signed,” he said. Luís Montenegro also stated that Portugal and Ukraine want this meeting to signify “a turning point” in economic relations between the two countries, announcing the holding of a bilateral economic forum next year.

According to Montenegro, this agreement on underwater drones will allow the two countries to take their knowledge and technological expertise “further” to defend their maritime space and critical infrastructure.

“In the Portuguese case, for example, let's not forget that the maritime cables that cross our maritime zone are absolutely fundamental for communications between Europe and the American continent, the African continent, and also the Middle East,” he stated.

Montenegro emphasized that cooperation with Ukraine – which reached €227.5 million in military support this year – “is not only military, it is also political,” highlighting the agreement reached at the European level.

“This is also a week where, in addition to the €90 billion in financial support that the European Union will give to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, and the permanent freezing of Russian assets, the commitment to Ukraine's accession process to the European Union has also been strongly reinforced, a process that deserves, moreover, Portugal's unequivocal support,” he said.