Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the European initiatives in support of the Ukrainian people in the wake of the unprovoked attack by Russia. [58430/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The EU has consistently condemned the further invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which is an unjustified and illegal act of aggression contrary to international law, including the principles of the UN Charter and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In January of this year, the European Commission disbursed a first instalment of €3 billion, of the up to €18 billion Macro-financial Assistance package for Ukraine in 2023. With this stable, regular and predictable financial support, Ukraine will be able to continue to pay wages and pensions, and maintain essential public services such as hospitals, schools, and housing for relocated people. It will also allow Ukraine to ensure macroeconomic stability and restore critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia in its war of aggression, such as energy infrastructure, water systems, transport networks, roads and bridges.

Recent discussions at EU level have also focused on the provision of additional, more sophisticated military equipment to Ukraine. In January, it was agreed to increase funding under the European Peace Facility to €3.5 billion. In line with our approach to the initial Council Decision, Ireland will constructively abstain from the Assistance Measure concerning the supply of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force. We will instead contribute our full share to the non-lethal Assistance Measure (this will bring Ireland’s total contribution to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility to approximately €77 million.)

EU Foreign Ministers also recently agreed to support the implementation of Ukraine’s ten-step initiative for a just peace.

The European Council agreed to grant Ukraine EU Candidate Country status in June of last year, a decision which Ireland strongly supported. When I visited Kyiv last July I assured President Zelenskyy that Ireland will provide every support for Ukraine’s path to full EU Membership. On 13 January I spoke with Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, and similarly assured him that he could continue to rely on Ireland's support.

Ireland is looking forward to the EU-Ukraine Summit on 3 February, which will be the first since Ukraine was granted candidate status. The last Summit was held in Kyiv on 12 October 2021, and attended by Presidents Zelenskyy, von der Leyen, Michel and High Representative Borrell. The Commission has agreed to produce an oral update in spring 2023 on the progress on accession-related reforms by Ukraine.