"As for a possible, potential, rumored visit by President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to Portugal, I will not say anything specific," said Rangel, citing security concerns.

The minister was speaking in Madrid, alongside his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, with whom he met today.

Regarding the agreement with Ukraine, which was already announced by the previous government in July 2023, after a NATO summit (the Defense organization of European and North American countries), Rangel said that "diplomatic services" continue to work on the document "until there is a final version ready to be signed", without providing further details.

At stake is a bilateral agreement between Portugal and Ukraine, in line with others that Kiev has already signed or is preparing to sign with other countries. The goal is to provide more security guarantees to Ukraine, with long-term military and financial support.

Rangel confirmed today that he spoke on Sunday, in a "rather long conversation" with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, and reiterated that "the agreement is moving forward".

The Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, confirmed today in Lisbon that the visit of the President of Ukraine to Portugal "is being prepared", without providing further details about the date or program of the trip.

"The visit is being prepared with the necessary discretion and we will see, very soon, how everything will happen," the Minister of Defense told journalists.

Volodymyr Zelensky's trip to Portugal was reported on Monday by SIC, which also mentioned that the Ukrainian head of state should also travel to Spain to sign bilateral security agreements, a trip that was confirmed today and will take place next Friday.

The Spanish royal palace announced that Volodymyr Zelensky is expected in Madrid on Friday for an official visit.

Zelensky will be received by King Felipe VI before an official lunch organized in his honor by the royal palace of Madrid, according to the palace's agenda.

According to the newspaper El País, this visit will be marked by the signing of an agreement to guarantee military support from Madrid to Kiev.

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, also refused, as Rangel did, to comment or give details of Zelensky's visit to the country.

The two ministers reiterated and guaranteed the "unwavering" support (Rangel) of Portugal and Spain, and for "as long as necessary" (Albares) to Ukraine, following the Russian military attack of February 2022.

Read Also: Zelensky's visit to Portugal should "contribute to the peace solution" (Portuguese version)