Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended a leaders’ meeting of the European Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine today on Sunday.
and he reiterated Ireland's staunch support for Ukraine in that country's battle for survival against Vladimir Putin's Russia
The online meeting was convened by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz. It met ahead of President Zelenskyy’s meeting with President Trump in Washington Monday.
Speaking after the meeting, the Taoiseach said: “I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine. We had a very useful engagement with President Zelenskyy as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington.
“I welcome the initiative by President Trump to seek the ending of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland, together with our European partners, continues to contribute to these efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
“It is essential that Ukraine is a full participant in any discussions regarding its future. I therefore welcome that President Zelenskyy will meet with President Trump in Washington tomorrow, together with other European leaders.
“At today’s meeting, I stressed the need to recommit ourselves to the primacy of the UN Charter. For all our security, there must be respect for international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.
“I fully agree that Ukraine needs strong, credible, long-term security guarantees. This will mean sustained support from Europe, the United States and other partners. Ireland stands ready to play our part. Earlier this year we committed to providing non-lethal military support to Ukraine and we will look to do more. At today’s meeting, I also reiterated Ireland’s readiness to contribute to any peacekeeping force that is in line with the UN Charter.
“EU membership for Ukraine must be part of these comprehensive security guarantees. Russia cannot have a veto on Ukraine’s path towards EU membership. Ireland will continue to strongly support Ukraine’s EU membership ambitions.
“Our joint efforts for peace should be combined with firm and co-ordinated pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage seriously with negotiations on a just and lasting peace. We agreed today that sanctions and wider economic measures will be reinforced if Russia does not stop the killing.
“The human dimension and accountability must also be at the centre of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Russia must urgently return Ukrainian children who they have abducted as well as prisoners of war and civilians being held unlawfully.
“I assured President Zelenskyy again today that Ireland will continue to steadfastly support Ukraine.”
