Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of EU efforts to provide both civil and military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

While Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements, we are not politically neutral when it comes to a crisis like this. We are continuing to provide strong political and practical support for Ukraine.

I wish to add that I have witnessed at first hand the destruction that Russia has wrought on its peaceful neighbour. There is no doubt that Russia's targeted and indiscriminate attacks on residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure are designed to terrorise the people of Ukraine, and that Ukraine must be supported by the EU to defend its territory and to defend the lives of its citizens in the face of such unjustified and unlawful aggression.

Military aid has primarily been provided via the European Peace Facility (EPF) and EU Member States had agreed approximately €5.6 billion (in current prices) to support Ukraine. This includes approximately €5.22 billion in lethal military assistance and €380 million in non-lethal military assistance. Under the EPF Ireland’s prior commitment – which is directed solely towards non-lethal assistance - stands at approximately €122 million. This helps to supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel. Of this sum, Ireland has disbursed approximately €24.913 million from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Vote 28 since February 2022. The Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March 2024 has further agreed to establish a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) under the EPF, encompassing a €5 billion increase to the EPF ceiling for 2024. Contributions under the new Fund will be paid over the lifetime of the EPF, in line with the current Multiannual Financial Framework, and will result in an increase in Member State contributions to the Facility, based on a GNI key basis.

In addition to the support through assistance measures under the EPF, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was established by the EU October 2022. The Mission provides specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinates Member State training activities. It has trained approximately 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers as of the end of 2023.

In February 2023, the Government approved the participation of Defence Forces’ personnel in EUMAM Ukraine. Their primary role is to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the EU Member States in which the training will take place. Ireland also provides a small number of staff positions in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Belgium and the Special Training Command (STC) in Germany. To date the Defence Forces have delivered training modules in tactical combat casualty care/combat lifesaver, demining/mine clearance, and drill instruction training. Ireland has also donated demining equipment to Ukraine (mine flails) and provided training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces on this equipment. The Defence Forces are currently planning other modules and identifying other opportunities for support.

To date, Ireland has disbursed €4.164 million from the Department of Defence’s Vote 36 under the EPF in relation to EUMAM Ukraine (to support the common costs of the Mission and the Mission’s non-lethal assistance measure). Further contributions by Ireland are likely this calendar year.