"When the PAN unequivocally expressed its support for Ukraine, it did so not only for humanitarian reasons, because we also respect the self-determination of peoples and because we completely repudiate Russia's invasion of Ukraine", she stressed.

Speaking to journalists in Sines, in the district of Setúbal, during a campaign event for the European elections, Inês de Sousa Real recalled that the PAN was one of the first parties to condemn the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and to defend support for the Ukrainian people "on all fronts".

"It was at the hands of the PAN that the Assembly [of the Republic] recommended to the President [of the Republic], Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, an award to Volodymyr Zelensky. Therefore, we only regret that the other political forces were not invited to the reception" for Volodymyr Zelensky, she noted.

When asked by journalists about the reception that the Portuguese head of state and prime minister are giving today in honor of the Ukrainian president, the PAN spokesperson confirmed her willingness to be at the meeting, despite the campaign event previously scheduled for Zelensky's visit.

"Obviously yes, that is, we respect the Ukrainian people, we respect their pain and we are with them at this very difficult time that the people have been going through, because we believe that not only does Europe need peace" as "this war that we have in full European territory" must be "overcome".

In her view, it is essential "to ensure that not only through economic sanctions, but through the trial of the war crimes that Vladimir Putin has been committing, we can somehow achieve peace on the one hand, but also not leave unpunished what has been the massacre of the Ukrainian people".

Drawing a parallel with the Palestinian people, Inês Sousa Real stressed that we are currently witnessing "two wars" with "innocent victims" that should lead to actions of "solidarity and for a greater effort to restore peace".

Regarding the union of political forces in support of Ukraine and in the reception of Volodymyr Zelensky, the PAN spokesperson recalled that her party "respects Europe and wants to be in Europe", as well as "guaranteeing the enlargement of the European Union to countries such as Ukraine".

"We see this as an opportunity and not a threat to what our development may be, but rather by all being accompanied by the same values ​​that we can strengthen the power of Europe", she stressed.

For the PAN, it is essential "to guarantee our food sovereignty and also to bet on an area of ​​production that often falls behind, such as legumes and cereals, and we know that Ukraine itself can bring and provide an opportunity for a new market for all member states".

"In this sense, we regret that the invitation was not extended to all political forces, but that in no way makes us less present when it comes to our support for Ukraine and working so that both in Ukraine and in Palestine there is recognition of their self-determination and that these civilian victims can have the peace that they have long claimed, demanded and fought for", she concluded.

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