Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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651. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken formally with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to date in 2021. [30737/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I, along with other EU Foreign Ministers, had the opportunity to discuss some of the challenges facing Ukraine with Minister Kuleba, in an exchange after the VC of EU Foreign Ministers on 19 April 2021. At that time I assured Minister Kuleba of Ireland's commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as I have consistently done when Ukraine is discussed in any forum.

I am particularly pleased that Ireland recently opened an Embassy in Ukraine, with our inaugural Ambassador to Ukraine commencing her post on 7 June 2021. I am confident that our enhanced presence in the country will help to increase bilateral relations between Ireland and Ukraine in the coming months and years.