Brussels, July 13, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's foreign minister said on Monday that the European Union would most likely approve the 21st package of sanctions against Russia “within a matter of days,” and said that, if it were up to Portugal, it would come into force immediately.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers in Brussels, Paulo Rangel was asked whether the bloc was failing to capitalise on the momentum of support for Ukraine that has been evident in recent days by delaying the approval of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
“Frankly, I think the atmosphere in the room shows that only one or two objections [regarding the sanctions package] remain, and there is a very open-minded approach to resolving them. I believe this is something that will be resolved within a matter of days and, therefore, the 21st sanctions package will proceed smoothly through the approval process,” he said.
The Portuguese foreign minister emphasised that, in all sanctions packages, “there have always been negotiations”, stressing that this involves “taking account of the views of the different member states”.
“Frankly, what I sensed in the room was clearly an atmosphere in which these differences will be overcome in the coming days,” he reiterated.
The discussion centres on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, presented by the European Commission in June, which, in its initial proposal, contained measures such as a ban on Russian ex-combatants from the war in Ukraine entering the EU, restrictions on fish imports, and restrictive measures against prominent Russian figures, such as Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
Ongoing discussions among member states mean that the package will require further refinement before approval, which could influence the EU’s price cap on Russian oil, set to expire on 15 July.
When asked whether Portugal agrees with the ban on former Russian combatants entering European territory, Rangel replied: “As far as Portugal is concerned, the sanctions package would have been approved today.”
“As far as we are concerned, everything is under discussion today. Obviously, there are other member states that have different views, and we understand that, because we obviously have to take into account the complexity of each country’s position and help find a constructive solution,” he emphasised.
Asked what he expected from the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine, which is taking place today in Paris and at which he will participate on behalf of Portugal, Rangel said that the meeting is taking place “at a very special moment”, following a NATO summit in Ankara, which yielded “very positive results, with a great deal of openness on the part of the United States” in supporting Kyiv, particularly with regard to air defence.
“And so, the fact that the Coalition of the Willing is holding a meeting today in Paris at the highest level has precisely this significance: it is essentially about orienting the coalition’s entire strategy towards this new reality, namely the progress Ukraine has made militarily, as well as the attacks with far greater civilian impact that it has suffered, and this defence essentially involves strengthening air defence,” he said.
Rangel said that it was necessary to “increase the pressure” on Russia through sanctions, Ukraine’s energy resilience, and the “military framework” to be provided by the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.
The French president has convened today a meeting of the leaders of the approximately 30 countries that make up the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine to plan new initiatives that will provide “security guarantees” to Kyiv.
At the meeting in Paris, Emmanuel Macron intends to discuss “new initiatives to strengthen capabilities and mobilisation in support of Ukraine, make further announcements and also plan joint exercises”.
Portugal is represented at the meeting by the foreign minister, Paulo Rangel.
TA/ADB // ADB.
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