After the Lisbon government decided to supply a stockpile of weapons to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, it appears that the Portuguese authorities did not have the money to transport the goods to the war zone, and some foreign companies are expected to accept the costs. Action – Nasser reveals a military source for Do Sol.
The bulk of the load was shipped from the 15 M113 tracked armored vehicles to the United States at low cost, from a fleet of about one and a half hundred men used by the Portuguese army. The Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the eruption of the Soviet Union (1991) when US troops were stationed in Europe in the 1990s. Since then, such vehicles, already obsolete, are in the Santa Margarita military camp, where they are seldom used, so providing one-tenth of this force to Ukraine would not mean a significant decline. 15 armored vehicles have been modified in recent weeks and are now ready to cross the Polish border into Ukraine.
“Portugal provided the material, but if the transport could be done ‘free of charge’, usually through partners who did this, even better,” he said, summarizing the same source, adding that the Antonio Costa government was trying to cut costs. Falls into the national treasury. Although the Prime Minister recently announced financial assistance of 250 250 million from Portugal to Ukraine, of which already 100 100 million this year.
To solve the problem of shipping, the Portuguese army relied mainly on British assistance, as London secured and financed the equipment (especially ammunition) provided by Portugal to Kiev. “They [os britânicos] The final fall has not yet been provided “, our source added.” But they are exploring the possibilities of the route, which can be done by road or mostly by train. They have already gone to Santa Margarita to see the goods and take measurements and now they are waiting for us to say something about the traffic.
In addition to ammunition and some light military equipment, Portugal has already sent four GNR-owned armored vehicles to Ukraine, two by land transport and the other by air; But the move, funded by the Lisbon government, took advantage of the departure of the Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo ship, which for various reasons had already planned a voyage to Eastern Europe.
In addition to the tanks monitored, Portugal will now supply artillery howitzers and Browning heavy machine guns to Ukraine.
“We are waiting for the English to come forward,” the same source concluded. “If that doesn’t happen, someone will have to make a political decision because the soldiers have no money.”
Meanwhile, another source close to the military revealed to Nascer do Sol that as Ukraine is increasingly militarily declining, the Portuguese government has received new requests for assistance and is examining three branches of the armed forces to collect cargo trucks. Sent to Kiev. The problem is that the Portuguese troops have some vehicles that meet the required conditions: “The troops are wearing waistcoats. We have little stuff, the rest is junk. We’ll send what we have, if we can pick it up. “
The Ministry of Defense says the caterpillars have been ready since May 31. “We already have friendly partners, they have already prepared themselves to take them on, and we look forward to hearing from them when they can do so,” Helena Carreras’ Ministry argued in a statement to Nascer do SOL.
Promises
The shipment of military supplies to Ukraine came in response to a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelenzky, who during his speech – via video call – appealed to the government of Antonio Costa to support the Russian-occupied country in the Portuguese parliament. Heavy weapons, as well as the strengthening of sanctions imposed on Russia. “I urge the acceleration and strengthening of sanctions and military support, weapons,” the Ukrainian head of state said on April 21, specifically talking about “heavy weapons.”
During a visit to Ukraine by the Portuguese Prime Minister in May this year, he spoke of bargaining, and support for 250 million euros in military aid. On May 21, Antonio Costa, who visited Kiev, said that Portugal had delivered and delivered deadly and non-lethal items. The Prime Minister argued that Portugal had tried to respond to the demands of the Ukrainian authorities, but “we often do not have the resources Ukraine needs”. “This is an unfinished endeavor and it will continue. We have heeded the specific demands of Ukraine and will try to see if they are within our borders,” he added.
At the time, Antonio Costa assured that Portugal would support Ukraine in other areas, such as the restructuring of schools and kindergartens, “because it is necessary to invest in the future and ensure that new Ukrainian generations have a future on their land.”
“Portugal has sought to support Ukraine in very different ways, helping to create conditions in which all EU countries can unite in support of the Sixth Amendment on Russia,” Costa said during a visit to the Ukrainian capital. .
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