“If there is a need to strengthen our current presence, we will communicate that,” stated Nuno Melo when asked whether Portugal would participate in NATO’s reinforcement of its eastern flank, prompted by the incident involving Russian drones in Polish territory.
The Minister of National Defense spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the EUROMARFOR command change ceremony held on board the NRP D. Francisco de Almeida, near the Maritime Station of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos in Lisbon.
Nuno Melo affirmed that the “Portuguese effort will always align with the allies’ decision-making context,” but also considers the nation’s “operational capabilities,” emphasizing that Portugal “cannot give what it doesn’t have” but is “pushing its efforts to meet what is required.”
Melo mentioned that more information regarding Portugal’s position on the so-called ‘Eastern Sentinel’ operation would be provided “in due time,” highlighting that no concrete decision on the country’s actions has been made yet, hence no specific date has been confirmed.
The minister also noted that the decision is pending on meetings “being held within the military dimension,” particularly with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
NATO will enhance surveillance and security on its eastern flank following the incident involving Russian drones entering Polish airspace, announced the organization last Friday.
At a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, NATO’s Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, announced the military presence reinforcement to “further strengthen the defense posture” on the flank bordering Russia.
This military reinforcement is not exclusive to Poland, but the announcement was made days after an invasion of Polish airspace by Russian drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), which were intercepted by the Polish Air Force.
