Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is confident that current EU support for Ukraine can withstand internal criticism from some members and external pressure from other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38073/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the response of the European Union has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. Collectively, the EU and its Member States have provided support worth approximately €158.6 billion.

I welcome that support for Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU. This is not only the right thing to do. It is vital for safeguarding the security of Europe as a whole.

By continuing to launch aerial attacks into Ukraine, and by clinging to its maximalist position, it is clear that Russia is not engaging in peace talks in good faith. In this context, it is more important than ever that we bolster support for Ukraine across all work stands.

This was a key focus of my engagements at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, in addition to Taoiseach’s attendance at the June European Council. Across these engagements, European leaders reconfirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.

It is also important that we maintain pressure on Russia and those who support it, including further sanctions to impede its ability to finance its war of aggression. The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting in EU history. I welcome that the EU Member States agreed to the rollover of the Russia sectoral regime for a further six-months.

One of the most important long-term guarantees that we can give to Ukraine is EU membership. Ireland has always been a strong supporter of Ukraine’s EU perspective. I regret that one Member State is delaying progress on this front and hope that it will be possible to move forward on next steps without further delay.