Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on whether there can be no peace agreement imposed on Ukraine without its support and the support of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66597/25]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I want to return to the question of Ukraine and to ask the Minister if she agrees that there can be no peace agreement imposed on Ukraine without its support and the support of the European Union generally.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister of State said in reply to an earlier question, there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. That is something that has consistently been said at a European level. At this critical juncture for Ukraine, after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, I want to again emphasise Ireland's unequivocal support and solidarity with Ukraine. I welcome the ongoing efforts of President Trump and the United States to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine but also for the wider European region.

It is more important than ever that Europe and the United States continue to work together to achieve this as it can only happen with the support of Europe as well as the US. The emerging US proposals, as well as plans for further negotiations, represent a very welcome step forward. I also welcome the progress made at Sunday's meetings between the US and Ukraine in Geneva. I welcome the fact that EU institutions and member states were also present. We look forward to these talks continuing in a positive manner and to further progress being achieved.

Ukraine is engaging positively - we can see that from the commentary and President Zelenskyy himself. They are engaging constructively in these discussions despite the ongoing military assault on their towns, cities, ports and critical energy infrastructure. I do not believe the actions of Russia are the actions of a country that wants peace. However, we have to work towards that sole objective and goal.

A massive attack on Kharkiv on Sunday resulted in the loss of more innocent lives. This follows an appalling attack on Ternopil in recent weeks that killed 34 people, including six children. It is crucial that any agreement upholds Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. Any agreement must also protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security. That means strong, credible guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to avoid a repetition of the past.

This is not just vital for Ukraine - it is also vital for the European Union and all its member states, including Ireland. It is welcome that assurances have been given that the EU will be involved in discussions on issues that directly relate to it, such as enlargement and immobilised assets.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I am not sure that I agree with the Minister in welcoming the nature of the American involvement in this particular situation. It has been characterised as being on Putin's side, appearing to be on Ukraine's side, and now being back on the Putin side again. Some people think that the current peace plan was written in Russian and translated via Google Translate. I am deeply concerned about many of the provisions in that plan, which seems to have the enthusiastic support of President Trump. One could believe, given recent statements, that Secretary Rubio is perhaps more realistic in his approach and is trying to inject a level of realism into the debate, but the bottom line is that Europe must be involved so as to ensure that, as the Minister quite rightly says, nothing is done about Ukraine without Ukraine's full involvement and without Ukraine being able to benefit at the end of the day.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have to acknowledge that there are very clear efforts on the part of the US to try and bring about a ceasefire, while at the same time acknowledging that elements of the 28 point plan that we saw put forward very clearly need further work. We cannot have a situation where land is ceded by force. That simply cannot be the basis for any type of ceasefire. We cannot have a situation where a country cannot in the future be able to defend itself should something like this happen again. Likewise, we cannot have a situation where Europe is committed to certain things without Europe being around the table. It is really important that Europe is part of the conversations, negotiations and discussions and that Ukraine agrees to whatever is put forward.

There is a recommendation or a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire that has been on the table since March. Ukraine has been very clear that it will sign up to that. It would ensure that all lines as they currently stand would be frozen, that people would come around the table and that negotiations on many of the matters that we have seen in the 28 point plan could be discussed at that stage. I would encourage that it would be something that is still on the table. We need to make sure that we support any discussions and negotiations but that our absolute commitment and priority is that Ukraine is supported and that it agrees to whatever is on the table in the proposals.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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We all want peace, but what is certain is that Russia cannot be rewarded for its crimes. It should not be readmitted to the G8 or reintegrated into the global economy.

The plan, for example, demands Ukrainian denazification, effectively validating Russia's absurd narrative that Ukraine is riddled with Nazis. I have been there, as have other Members of this House, and I do not think there is any evidence available to that end.

There have been war crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin and other places, forced relocations to Russia of children, repeated strikes on apartment buildings, most recently in the western city of Ternopil, and the torture, abuse and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Despite all this, the plan, as it currently stands, grants the Kremlin full immunity from prosecution. Does the Minister agree that whatever agreement might be reached there can be no normalisation of EU relations with Russia while the monster Putin is president?

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Government providing over €100 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine. I welcome 116,000 Ukrainians here under the temporary protection directive, with it being estimated that some 80,000 will stay. I have a huge concern, though, over the peace process itself and the role Europe has played in it. The 28-point plan was made up without the involvement of Ukraine, and that is so wrong. Additionally, could the Minister give us an update on President Zelenskyy's outstanding invitation to Ireland?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I again stress that there are very clearly elements of the plan put forward that are not realistic, not credible and will not be accepted by Ukraine and will certainly not be accepted by the EU. We must, though, use this as a framework and basis for discussions, which, to date, have not taken place. It is very clear that this is an illegal war, very clear that Vladimir Putin is responsible for war crimes and very clear that these are continuing as we speak, so we need to make sure that Ireland's voice is strong. We must continue to put pressure on Russia. In our conversations last week at the Foreign Affairs Council - and the 19th sanctions package is currently under way - there was a proposal and suggestion on a 20th package of sanctions. It is about how we can make sure we impose as much pressure on Russia as possible to try to bring it to the table, so that any negotiations around a peace process and a ceasefire are fair and balanced. It is important that Russia does feel pressure because, to date, for a lot of this ongoing war, Russia has not felt the pressure that it needs to. In Europe, we need to do everything we can through sanctions, diplomatic channels and our work with the US to make sure we can bring about a lasting peace. Again, this is not just about Ukraine, albeit that country is front and centre. This is already starting to seep into the security of European member states and we need to make sure it does not go any further.

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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With the agreement of the House, I will go back to Question No. 10. Is that agreed? Agreed.