Rutte: criticism was aimed at the populations, not at Portugal

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that public perception in Portugal and Spain views the Ukraine conflict as distant, not reflecting political stances. He noted that this perception is widespread across Europe, highlighting the proximity of Russian missiles to various European capitals. Rutte's comments drew criticism from Portugal's Foreign Ministry, which asserted that the country firmly supports Ukraine and understands the Russian threat. The Ministry expressed disappointment over Rutte's remarks, emphasizing Portugal's commitment to the issue.