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

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will be attending a virtual meeting of European leaders later this afternoon convened by President Macron regarding the unfolding situation on the war in Ukraine. We will take that opportunity to reiterate our support for Ukraine. I will also be pushing strongly for the EU to accelerate the membership process and the application from Ukraine to become a member of the EU. Apart from the economic, social and wider aspects of membership of the EU, there would be a significant security benefit to Ukraine by virtue of being a member of the EU. The Ukrainian Government has responded very admirably. I welcome what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, namely, that there needs to be a sustainable and durable peace and that Europe and Ukraine will have to play a part in any outcome to any talks that may develop.

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