Former Portuguese president fears global conflict, particularly worrying for Europe

Former Portuguese president António Ramalho Eanes has expressed fears of a global conflict, saying that the current situation, which is “rapidly changing”, is particularly worrying for Europe.

In the book ‘Palavra que conta’, published this month by the journalist Fátima Campos Ferreira, the former president argues that if the United States is unable to respond in a “suitable way” to the situation created by the invasion of Ukraine, “Europe will have to face the possibility of finding itself alone”, which would mean spending at least 4% of its budget on defence.

In the book, Ramalho Eanes expresses his concern about the situation on the European continent as a result of the war, recalling that the origins of this conflict go back to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet empire and are also rooted in “too many mistakes and ambitions” on the part of the United States, Europe, and Russia.

“We’re back to pre-war times,” he comments.

“Ukraine is an existential issue for Russia, but not for the United States,” he adds, because for him “, a military and political defeat in Ukraine is therefore unacceptable for Russia”.

At the same time, Eanes argues that the West has failed to show the military-strategic resolve to confront Russia by being late and inadequate in providing military resources to Ukraine.

“Any major problem that may arise between the United States and Russia in Ukraine could lead to a world war,” said the general.

He expressed his awareness of the escalation that could result from the US administration’s attempt to reverse the military situation by becoming more involved in the war and authorising Ukraine to use tactical ballistic missiles with a range of 300 kilometres [which has already happened] and Anglo-French cruise missiles with a range of 550 kilometres.

“The use of these missiles against Russia requires NATO personnel to provide at least the satellite data to guide the missiles against the targets,” he recalls.

He also noted that despite the consequences of the mass use of these weapons at all levels – which he says could pave the way for nuclear weapons – Putin will not refuse peace negotiations.

(Luísa Meireles – edited by Pedro Sousa Carvalho | Lusa.pt)