Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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584. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has undertaken any diplomatic efforts to call for peace and a cessation of the war in Ukraine; if he has discussed Irish neutrality in the context of any such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14045/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been consistently active, both through the European Union and the United Nations, in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. This war is entirely of Russia’s choosing, and Ireland has repeatedly called for Russia to end its attack on Ukraine.

Ireland has co-sponsored six UN General Assembly resolutions adopted in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which have condemned Russia’s aggression; called for humanitarian access; suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council; condemned the illegal so-called referendums in the occupied parts of Ukraine and illegal annexation; and recognised the need for an international mechanism for reparations for Ukraine.

Most recently, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on the UN Charter principles underlying a just and comprehensive peace. This was overwhelmingly adopted by the General Assembly, with 141 votes in favour, on the 23 February 2023, one day before the first anniversary of the war. This resolution once again called on Russia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and called for a cessation of hostilities.

Ireland has been active in outreach to the wider international community, including to countries in Africa and Asia, to encourage support for these important resolutions, including the resolution on the UN Charter principles underlying a just and comprehensive peace.

This has included contacts at political level and through our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and network of Embassies. Ireland has stressed the importance of the rules-based international order and the UN system for all Member States; when a powerful nation so flagrantly violates international norms and the UN Charter, this is a threat to all States and to peaceful co-existence. As a small, independent State, we have found that our message has resonated, and voting in the UN General Assembly shows that partners from all regions share this view.

As the Government has repeatedly underlined, Ireland may be militarily neutral, but we are not politically neutral in the face of Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. In this context, we are also supportive of the provision of military assistance to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF) and through training provided under the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM). This reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Based on commitments in the Programme for Government, our share of EPF funding for Ukraine is directed exclusively to non-lethal assistance.

Ireland, as part of the European Union is also ready to support Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, to date, Russia has not shown any genuine willingness regarding a fair and sustainable peace. The European Council has expressed its support for the peace formula of President Zelenskyy and reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to work actively with Ukraine on its 10-point peace plan.