In an interview to SIC Notícias,Paulo Rangel argued that any solution must translate into a “just and lasting” peace, without territorial concessions that are not accepted by the Ukrainians themselves, and accompanied by security guarantees.
Despite admitting that the outcome of the conflict “is something that cannot be predicted,” the official considers that “there may be opportunities,” pointing to the current deadlock on the ground and the economic circumstances in Russia.
For the head of Portuguese diplomacy, the United States has a central role in the negotiating process, while China could also assume a mediation function, “even behind the scenes.”
In the same interview, Rangel emphasized that Kiev has been making “enormous efforts” to approach an “acceptable position” for Moscow, adding that many of the negotiations have not been productive, with “almost exclusive responsibility” lying with the Russian Federation.
The minister understands that there are “conditions” for a peace agreement, but considers that “everything is on Russia’s side.”
Russia launched a large-scale military offensive against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in an invasion that, according to Rangel, constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter, of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a state, creating a “most serious precedent.” The conflict is the most significant in Europe since World War II.
