Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 23, inclusive, together.

The coalition of the willing is a group of more than 30 countries committed to strengthening support for Ukraine. I have attended leader level meetings of the coalition since it began its work in March. Over the summer, in July and August, US engagement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine led to increased diplomatic activity. A summit was held between Presidents Trump and Putin in Alaska in August. A meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy, together with European leaders, took place subsequently in Washington DC.

The coalition of the willing met on four occasions to discuss the outcomes of these meetings and to consider the next steps, most recently on 4 September. Discussions focused on progressing work on security guarantees for Ukraine that will underpin any ceasefire or peace agreement and provide assurances to Ukraine that it will not face a future invasion by Russia. These security guarantees aim, first and foremost, to support the Ukrainian military as the primary provider of security. They would also include a multinational reassurance force. There may also be a role for a peacekeeping force to monitor any ceasefire or peace agreement.

I have made clear to our partners in the coalition of the willing that Ireland would not join a reassurance force. In line with our long tradition of peacekeeping, however, Ireland is open to considering participation in an appropriately mandated peacekeeping mission. There was also agreement that Ukraine's accession to the European Union would form an important part of a package of comprehensive security guarantees for Ukraine. We have been steadfast in trying to accelerate accession for Ukraine to the European Union.

At the meetings of the coalition and at the informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen on 1 October, I underlined Ireland's strong support for Ukraine's European Union ambitions. I urged that the accession negotiations with Ukraine progress as quickly as possible. There was discussion at all meetings on the need to maintain pressure on Russia, including through more sanctions and other economic measures. The coalition of the willing will continue to work to support the achievement of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. In that context, I hope that the most recent initiatives from US President Trump lead to meaningful progress. I will be attending an online meeting of the coalition later this week.

The meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 23 October, which I will attend, will consider how to step up our support for Ukraine and efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a meaningful and inclusive peace process. I spoke by phone on 1 September with President Zelenskyy. We had a warm and substantial conversation during which I reaffirmed Ireland's strong support for Ukraine and the Government's commitment to a just and lasting peace. I invited President Zelenskyy to visit Ireland. I look forward to welcoming him in the near future. I expressed my solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of unrelenting Russian assaults and reiterated Ireland's readiness to continue to support Ukraine. I also restated previous commitments that Ireland will continue to work with partners to support Ukraine's path towards EU membership.

During my travels to New York for United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, high-level week on 23 September, I attended a meeting of the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children, co-chaired by President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Carney of Canada. On 24 September, I participated in a meeting of the international Crimea platform, which was also attended by President Zelenskyy. The meeting agreed the New York declaration which recommits to achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, and which respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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