Portugal's outdated defense strategy still calls Russia a 'partner' in 2026

A three-year-old draft sits unrevised while geopolitics shift. Why does Portugal's defense strategy still treat Russia as an ally in 2026?

, and Administrator

2026 March 16 . 5:08 PM

1 min read

The image shows an old book with the words "Military History" written on it, which is the first... — The image shows an old book with the words "Military History" written on it, which is the first page of the military history of the United States. The paper is yellowed with age, and the text is written in a bold, black font. The book is open, revealing a page with a detailed illustration of a soldier in uniform, with a rifle in hand and a determined expression on his face.

Portugal's outdated defense strategy still calls Russia a 'partner' in 2026

Portugal's Defense Minister, Nuno Melo, has sent a draft of the National Strategic Defense Concept to the Foreign Ministry. The document, however, remains outdated as it was meant for review three years ago. One notable issue is its continued reference to Russia as a 'partner'.

In September, Melo forwarded the draft to the Foreign Ministry for feedback. He is now waiting for input from Paulo Rangel's office before proceeding. The delay in updating the document has raised concerns, particularly as it still classifies Russia in terms that no longer reflect current geopolitical realities.

Public confidence in EU security and defence initiatives remains high, with 74% of Portuguese citizens expressing trust in these measures as of 2026. However, the outdated status of the national strategy has left gaps in addressing modern security challenges.

The draft remains in limbo until Rangel's office provides its response. Without revisions, the document will continue to rely on outdated assessments, including its description of Russia. The next steps depend on inter-ministerial coordination to bring the strategy up to date.