Portugal, under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government, will join NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” operation, Melo told local media. He linked the move to what he described as a Russian provocation against Poland after drones violated Polish airspace on the night of September 9–10.
Melo said the Portuguese armed forces stand ready to “increase their operational capacity” and expand their military presence on NATO’s eastern flank. Lisbon, he added, will meet its commitments to EU and NATO partners “in the name of the principles of freedom and peace.”
While stressing preparedness, Melo urged restraint and warned against “emotional reactions.” “NATO is ready to defend its territory,” he said, but cautioned against feeding “what is clearly unreasonable and dangerous” or taking steps that could trigger an escalation “nobody wants.”
NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” mission was announced on Friday after Poland invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, following the overnight drone intrusion into its airspace.
(jh)
Source: PAP