Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his Department's recent engagements with the Government of Ukraine regarding the ongoing conflict and efforts made to reach a ceasefire. [38033/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s support for the Government and people of Ukraine is steadfast. This remains a key focus of my Department’s engagements with Ukrainian interlocutors at political level, with the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin, through the Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv, and at EU and international level where I continue to raise Ukraine as a matter of priority.

Foreign Minister Sybiha regularly joins the monthly meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. At the most recent Council meeting which I attended on 23 June, Minister Sybiha joined in person to update us on the situation in Ukraine and its most pressing needs. The subsequent EU-level discussion focused on continuing to coordinate a strong and united European response behind Ukraine, including by stepping up the EU’s political and military support.

I had the opportunity to visit Kyiv in September 2024, where I signed a bilateral agreement on support and cooperation with Ukraine. This sets out our commitment to continuing to provide Ukraine with the support it needs as it defends itself against Russian aggression, and covers a range of areas of bilateral cooperation.

I subsequently met with Minister Sybiha in the margins of the Munich Security Conference in February.

Minister Richmond is attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference today in Rome, at which senior members of the Ukrainian government will also be present. Minister Richmond also attended an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Lviv on 9th May, as well as a Ministerial meeting of the Core Group for the establishment of a Special Tribunal to ensure that those responsible for Russia’s aggression face justice.

In April, Minister Byrne visited Odesa to open an underground school shelter co-funded by Ireland, and travelled on to Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian interlocutors focused on Ireland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, including on its EU accession path.

Across these engagements, Ireland has underlined our commitment to working with Ukraine and our partners to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the principles of the UN Charter, and provides the necessary security guarantees so that we do not see a return to Russian aggression in the future.

Ireland has provided extensive political, humanitarian, non-lethal military, and economic support to Ukraine since February 2022. This includes €138 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation supports. Under my direction, officials are currently working on options for delivery of €100 million in non-lethal military support in line with needs identified by Ukraine, as agreed by Cabinet in March.

My Department will continue to engage at all levels to ensure that Ukraine gets the support it needs, for as long as is necessary.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Russia's recent escalation of its attacks on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37918/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I condemn Russia’s escalation of large-scale aerial attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Recent weeks have seen thousands of drone and missile attacks launched into Ukraine during some of the largest aerial attacks since the start of the war, resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties, and large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure.

These sustained attacks demonstrate yet again that Russia is intent on escalating, rather than de-escalating.

I join our Ukrainian, European and other international partners in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days. This pause in hostilities could serve as a vital step toward reducing civilian suffering and allow space for meaningful talks aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression and restoring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

Ireland’s position remains clear. As the aggressor, it is for Russia to demonstrate a genuine commitment towards peace by halting its brutal attacks and agreeing to the proposed ceasefire, without conditions. It can do so at any time.

Unfortunately, Russia has made clear with its comments following the direct talks with Ukraine that they maintain their maximalist position as a pre-condition to entering a ceasefire agreement. This is not conducive to achieving meaningful progress towards genuine peace.

Dialogue and diplomacy remain vitally important. We are working closely with our EU partners to secure the best outcome for Ukraine and for Europe.

We all want to see peace in Ukraine. But how we make peace matters. Ukraine must be centrally involved in any negotiations and supported to be able to engage from a position of strength. There needs to be a clear European role as well.

The ongoing escalation in Russian attacks also highlights the critical importance of ensuring that Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself. Ireland is stepping up its bilateral support. In March, I announced the allocation of €100 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. This support will be provided through partnerships with EU Member States already procuring from Ukraine and through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group Coalitions on De-mining and ICT. These funds will be used to invest in priority areas identified by the Ukrainian side, including non-lethal elements of air defence, to be procured in Ukraine. This will ensure that Ireland’s support can reach Ukraine quickly, at a critical moment for the country.