Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the need to provide additional support for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36672/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Russian aggression against Ukraine features prominently on the monthly agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, where EU Foreign Ministers are regularly joined by Foreign Minister Sybiha of Ukraine to hear directly from him about the situation on the ground and Ukraine’s most pressing needs. This is an important forum for discussion with my EU counterparts on what more the EU can do to ensure Ukraine gets the support it urgently needs to defend itself and to deter future Russian aggression.

On 23 June, the Council’s discussion focused on coordinating a strong and united European response behind Ukraine, including by stepping up the EU’s political and military support for Ukraine. The Council took stock of ongoing efforts to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and underlined the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. An important long-term guarantee we can offer to Ukraine is membership of the European Union. The Ukrainian people have made clear their European choice and the Ukrainian government has demonstrated its commitment to the reform process. I continue to advocate at EU level for progress on Ukraine’s EU accession path.

Throughout the discussion, I emphasised the critical importance of the EU sending a strong and united message of support for Ukraine, and continuing to deliver on that support. I am committed to working with my EU partners in the period ahead to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself. This will remain a key focus of my engagements with my EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels.