Willie O'Dea
Question:74. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is providing support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/24]
View answerThursday, 7 March 2024
Questions (74)
Written answers
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of the European Peace Facility (EPF) to provide military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. To date under the EPF, EU Member States have agreed approximately €5.6 billion (in current prices) to support Ukraine. This includes approximately €5.22 billion in lethal military assistance and €380 million in non-lethal military assistance.
Ireland’s commitment – which is directed solely towards non-lethal assistance - now stands at approximately €122 million. This helps to supply items such as food, fuel, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment, as well as in areas such as demining. Of this €122 million, Ireland has disbursed approximately €25.493 million from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Vote 28.
In addition to the €5.6 billion in support through assistance measures under the EPF, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was established by the Foreign Affairs Council in October 2022. The Mission is providing specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinating Member State training activities. By the end of 2023, it had trained approximately 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
To date, Ireland has disbursed approximately €4.2 million from the Department of Defence’s Vote 36 under the EPF in relation to EUMAM Ukraine (to support the common costs of the Mission and the Mission’s non-lethal assistance measure).
In February 2023, the Government also approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in EUMAM Ukraine. Their primary role is to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the EU Member States in which the training will take place. Ireland also provides a small number of staff positions in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Belgium and the Special Training Command (STC) in Germany.
As part of Ireland’s contribution to the mission, the Defence Forces have delivered training modules in tactical combat casualty care, demining/mine clearance, and drill instruction training. Ireland has also donated demining equipment to Ukraine (mine flails) and provided the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the necessary training on the equipment through EUMAM Ukraine.