The war in Ukraine is reaching a “critical juncture” with a need to increase pressure on Russia as efforts to end the conflict continue, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said.
Ms McEntee will attend a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing on Tuesday, a group of countries supporting Ukraine hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris, also to be attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In a statement issued in advance of the talks, Ms McEntee said the meeting was a chance to take stock of diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end in recent weeks and to discuss how to support Ukraine now and in the future.
“We also need to increase pressure on Russia to end its illegal and brutal war,” she said. “At this critical juncture for Ukraine, after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, Ireland remains unequivocal in our support and solidarity with Ukraine.”
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Ms McEntee will re-emphasise the Irish position of strong support for Ukrainian EU membership, which she described as an “important security guarantee” for the country.
She said Ireland’s commitment to supporting a “just and lasting peace” and security for Ukraine was conveyed to Mr Zelenskiy when he visited Dublin last month, and was demonstrated in the agreement among EU leaders before Christmas to advance a €90 billion loan to the country.
“It is crucial that any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, based on respect for the principles of the UN charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld.”
She said this was crucial for Europe’s future security. “It is important therefore that the EU and other European partners are involved in shaping the final outcome.”
The dramatic seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by US forces last weekend is likely to loom over the meeting, with president Donald Trump’s administration a key player in the Ukrainian peace talks.
Speaking in Beijing, which he is visiting on a diplomatic mission on Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin declined to criticise the capture of Mr Maduro but said he would have preferred a peaceful transition to democracy in the country.
The Government is wary of taking critical positions about the move which it feels could endanger Irish economic interests. One Minister, speaking privately, argued that the reality is that the US is an ally to Ireland, and said the Irish position was aligned with almost every other European capital.
They said the situation was complicated by Mr Maduro’s record in office, but when it came to Greenland, the Danish-controlled territory which Mr Trump has consistently said he wants control of, there would be solidarity with Denmark. The issue has been discussed when Irish and Danish ministers met in recent months, the Minister said.
