Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa believes that Donald Trump, the president of the “world’s greatest power,” is siding with Russia.
In a recent speech in the town of Castelo de Vide (Portugal), before young members of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Rebelo de Sousa said that US President Donald Trump’s approach to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict does not benefit Kiev.
“Objectively speaking, the new US administration is taking strategic steps in favor of Russia,” Mr. Rebelo de Sousa said.
Mr. Rebelo de Sousa’s statements were published on CNN on August 29.
Citing the US President’s attitude, Mr. Rebelo de Sousa said that Mr. Trump had issued “strong warnings” regarding “imposing new sanctions” on Russia, but none of those warnings had been implemented.
According to Mr. Rebelo de Sousa, Mr. Trump wanted to play a mediating role to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but only negotiated “with one side”. The Portuguese President also emphasized that in the coming time, Europe must “assert itself” to be able to participate in important negotiations on the Ukraine issue.
“Europe has underestimated the importance of Mr. Trump and Trumpism”, as well as “the sudden change in the balance of power” after the 2024 election in the US, Mr. Rebelo de Sousa commented.
According to Kyiv Post, in Portugal (a NATO member country), the president is the head of state but does not directly run the government like the prime minister.
The US has not commented on Mr. Rebelo de Sousa’s statements.