MNE laments Rutte's "lightness" in accusing Portugal of considering the war in Ukraine as "something distant"

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his comments suggesting that Portugal views the Russian threat as distant. The ministry emphasized Portugal's unwavering support for Ukraine and expressed disappointment over Rutte's remarks, which they deemed careless given the seriousness of the issue. Rutte had previously stated that Spain and Portugal perceive the conflict as remote, implying that it primarily affects Poland. He noted that Russian missiles take only five more minutes to reach Lisbon than Warsaw.