James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the informal exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba at the June EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27276/24]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions and engagement he has had with EU counterparts on the grave situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27271/24]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the EU Foreign Affairs Council discussion on the Russian aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27275/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 35 and 44 together.

On 24 June, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, where Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine was a key focus of discussion. As is now common practice, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, joined us by VC at the beginning of the discussion. I greatly value this regular opportunity to hear first-hand from Minister Kuleba, who briefed on a range of issues, including the current situation on the ground and Ukraine’s most urgent needs.

It is apparent that Ukraine’s most urgent needs are for its defence, in the face of ongoing relentless Russian attacks, which are particularly focused on energy installation and other critical civilian infrastructure. The Foreign Affairs Council also formally adopted the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, and discussed the outcome of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland on 15 and 16 June, which represented an important first step to build consensus around the principles underlying a future peace in Ukraine.

The European Council has taken a number of important decisions in recent months, with a view to providing predictable and sustained financial support for Ukraine in the period ahead. At Monday's FAC discussion, I highlighted the importance of maintaining this momentum through the second half of 2024 and called on all EU Member States to commit to the early and consistent implementation of our decisions.

I also underscored Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU accession process. The holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference on Ukraine on 25 June was another milestone moment in EU-Ukraine relations, as the formal start of Ukraine's negotiations on EU membership. This represents a clear recognition of the immense commitment that Ukraine has shown to the EU accession process, and to advancing the necessary reforms, despite the incredibly difficult circumstances.

I continue to raise support for Ukraine in all my bilateral contacts with my Ministerial counterparts. The European Union continues to face a grave security threat from Russia. Russia’s ongoing attacks against Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure are part of a broader effort to break the will of the Ukrainian people, and demonstrate Russia’s clear desire to continue escalation. In response to these challenging circumstances, I am committed to working with my EU counterparts to ensure that we continue to deliver the multifaceted support Ukraine needs to defend itself.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he is taking to urgently re-establish momentum at European Union level on support for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27273/24]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the implementation of important decisions at EU level in recent months, including on the Ukraine Facility, Ukraine Assistance Fund and the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 54 together.

Since the beginning of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression, the response of the European Union has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It is crucial that we maintain this resolve and support for Ukraine at this critical time. 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.

In recognition of these significant challenges, a number of important decisions have been taken at EU level in recent months, which send a strong signal of the EU’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine. Successive European Councils have sought to shift support for Ukraine to a more consistent, long-term and predictable basis.

Ireland supported the adoption in February of the €50 billion “Ukraine Facility” to cover macro-financial needs in the period 2024 to 2027. The EU has disbursed €6 billion to Ukraine to support the country's macro-financial stability since the entry into force of the Ukraine Facility on 1 March. The Council’s recent positive assessment of the Ukraine Plan, detailing Ukraine’s vision for the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of the country and the reforms it intends to undertake as part of its EU accession process, paves the way for regular and predictable disbursements under this Facility. This will ensure that Ukraine can continue to keep the State and basic services running for its population.

Following the Council’s decision in December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the holding of the first Inter-governmental Conference on 25 June was yet another historic milestone in EU-Ukraine relations. Ireland has consistently supported Ukraine’s EU candidacy. We view EU membership for Ukraine as a key long-term security guarantee, and we are committed to supporting Ukraine as they commence negotiations.

In March 2024, Ireland supported the political agreement reached to establish the €5 billion Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) as a dedicated envelope under the European Peace Facility to ensure the continued provision of military assistance to Ukraine. It remains critical that the EU moves forward now and without further delay to implement and operationalise this agreement, as well as the subsequent decision to use the profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine.

I welcome the EU agreement this week on a 14th package of targeted sanctions against Russia. These are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history, with 2,200 individuals and entities now subject to EU restrictive measures. Ireland supports further measures to maintain this pressure, and in particular to limit Russia’s access to sensitive items and battlefield goods.

The pattern of momentum generated from these recent agreements sends a strong signal to Ukraine, Russia and the wider world that the EU is steadfast in its long-term support to Ukraine. The abhorrent attacks carried out by Russia in recent weeks against Ukraine’s critical civilian and energy infrastructure show that Putin is determined to continue to escalate this war. Ireland is committed to working with our EU partners to take any further action needed as a tangible sign of our clear, strong and resolute support for Ukraine.