Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Foreign Affairs Council met earlier this week, on Monday, and the foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, addressed that meeting by video conference. He is seeking a broad range of supports from the European Union, including the provision of weapons from those member states that are providing them in as timely a manner as possible and action to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.

He gave an outline of the current situation with Ukraine. The determination and the resilience of the people of Ukraine in the face of the most unprecedented and appalling assault on their homes and on their civilian infrastructure was very evident in his contribution. It was a strong presentation by the foreign minister, Mr. Kuleba, that also referenced the challenges the country faces. The European Union and the member states have collectively pledged assistance of approximately €67 billion to Ukraine and its people to date. This comprises of financial, humanitarian, emergency, budgetary and military assistance, as well as the hosting of refugees. This year, €4.5 billion of macro-financial assistance, out of a total of €18 billion committed for 2023, has been disbursed and the European Union has agreed on approximately €5.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility.

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