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

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Kyiv was a crucial moment in this war and was a resolute demonstration that the future of Ukraine lies within the EU. This was the first Foreign Affairs Council to take place in such conditions, which reflects the special circumstances we are facing.

Russia is showing no signs of relenting in its pursuit of a war of aggression against a sovereign UN member state on the borders of the European Union. Russia is testing our resolve and it is important that we maintain our pursuit of the objective of a secure Europe, in which our borders are not subject to change through the use of military aggression.

During the meeting, we discussed how to strengthen and advance the European Union's multifaceted response in direct consultation with both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister, Mr. Dmytro Kuleba.

This included Ukraine’s EU membership perspective, security commitments, sanctions, Ukraine’s Peace Formula, reconstruction and humanitarian supports.

During the meeting I echoed the significance of the EU presence in Kyiv sending a collective signal of solidarity and co-operation. I underlined the crucial nature of ensuring that the instruments for EU support to Ukraine are sufficiently durable, relevant and flexible to make them fit-for-purpose, including the proposed multi-annual fund for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, in which Ireland will continue to provide non-lethal assistance under the European Peace Facility, EPF. I also reiterated Ireland’s position that ultimately, the greatest security guarantee that the EU can provide to Ukraine is EU membership.

While in Kyiv I also had the opportunity to have discussions with UN partners whose important work in Ukraine Ireland is supporting, and to meet the small Irish community, all of whom are engaged in vital efforts, supporting humanitarian, civilian security and rule of law programmes. I heard first-hand the extent of the challenges that millions of Ukrainian civilians continue to face, with ongoing indiscriminate attacks by Russian forces targeted at civilian areas and civilian infrastructure, particularly energy infrastructure.

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