Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of the war in Ukraine and the EU's support for Ukraine, how he envisages the EU can mitigate against uncertainty in the context of the US Presidential election to assist Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3378/24]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is unanimous across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 71 together.

It is crucial that European resolve and support for Ukraine remains consistent. Russia’s brutal invasion has had appalling consequences for the Ukrainian people but also has wider implications, including for the security of the European continent.

This is the context in which Ireland strongly supports putting EU financial support for Ukraine on a more sustainable footing over the coming years. Ireland has consistently supported Ukraine’s EU candidacy and welcomed the December European Council decision to open accession negotiations. We view European Union membership for Ukraine as a key long-term security guarantee. As the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches, the decision to commence accession negotiations made clear that the European Union is resolutely committed to continuing to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

At EU level, work continues to unanimously agree of the Ukraine Facility, which will provide stable, predictable and multi-annual EU funding. EU leaders will meet in Brussels on 1 February at an Extraordinary European Council, convened specifically with a view to finalising agreement on this issue.

Along with our EU partners, Ireland continues to engage with international partners to build broad support for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, based on Ukraine's Peace Formula. This Formula has been endorsed by the European Council and covers nuclear safety; food security; energy security; release of prisoners; the UN Charter; withdrawal of Russian troops; restoration of justice; countering ecocide; preventing escalation and confirmation of the end of the war.

Since its launch by President Zelenskyy at the G20 Summit in November 2022, there are more than 80 countries involved in discussions on implementing the ten-point formula. Working groups have been established for each point of the 10-point plan, with the aim of translating political support into practical and pragmatic implementation. Ireland is engaged in a number of key elements of the plan, including addressing food security, ensuring accountability for Russian actions in Ukraine, and nuclear safety.

Ireland participated in recent meetings on the Peace Formula in Malta and Davos, where a large number of countries from different regions of the world participated. We will continue to engage with Ukraine, and with our European and international partners in the months ahead with a view to arriving at a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

In respect of engagement with the US, our Ambassador from Washington regularly meets a wide variety of Congressional representatives, both Republican and Democrats, to discuss a range of issues, including Ukraine. I will be travelling to Washington in early February and will stress the essential need for continued support to Ukraine in all my meetings at political level.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to working closely with my EU partners, including Germany, to ensure Ukraine gets the support it so urgently needs to continue to defend itself against ongoing Russian attacks.

My recent visit to Berlin was an excellent opportunity to discuss bilateral and EU support for Ukraine with our German partners. Germany is one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in terms of military and financial aid. Germany is also hosting over 1 million Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Ireland, like Germany, has been unequivocal and steadfast in its support for the people and Government of Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Foreign Minister Baerbock welcomed Ireland’s support for Ukraine, evidenced by some 100,000 Ukrainians being offered refuge in Ireland, representing 2% of Ireland’s population. She compared Ireland’s current generosity with its past assistance to German children post WWII as part of the Operation Shamrock programme.

Foreign Minister Baerbock further noted that solidarity with Ukraine is a pan-European obligation and that Ireland and Germany are working to ensure the Ukrainian people can live in peace.

I thanked Minister Baerbock for Germany’s leadership in ensuring Ukraine and its people have the means to defend themselves and the freedom of their country.

We continued these discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, where EU Foreign Ministers were clear in their commitment to continue providing strong political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.