Ireland backs Ukraine’s EU future as Taoiseach joins leaders on anniversary of Russia invasion
Kenneth Fox
Taoiseach Micheál Martin reaffirmed Ireland's position that Ukraine's future is in the European Union after participating in a meeting on Tuesday morning of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine.
The meeting marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
The video meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron. It was joined from Kyiv by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and several EU leaders meeting there to mark the occasion.
Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, the Taoiseach said:“I was pleased to join this meeting of the Coalition of the Willing to offer Ireland’s continuing support and solidarity to Ukraine after four long years of brutal and illegal war.
“The leaders meeting was unanimous in our unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people.
"They have endured incredible suffering, including in recent weeks as they faced an exceptionally cold winter without heat or electricity. They have demonstrated bravery, resilience and an unbreakable will, despite Russia’s best efforts to defeat them.
“President Zelenskiy briefed the meeting on ongoing US-led talks and on Ukraine’s current needs, including for air defence and energy."
Martin said the leader expressed their hope that the talks would deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and we reiterated our commitment to underpinning any peace agreement, including through robust security guarantees.
“I underlined that it is for the people of Ukraine to determine their own future, and I emphasised also the importance of increasing pressure on Russia, including through tougher sanctions and through cracking down on its shadow fleet, to undermine its ability to wage war and to oblige it to engage in meaningful negotiations.
“I reaffirmed Ireland’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our readiness to step up our assistance.
"I also reiterated our position that Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union, and I look forward to working with Ukraine during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU to accelerate its membership negotiations."
