Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
39. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in respect of the war in Ukraine and the EU's support for Ukraine, how he envisages the EU can mitigate against uncertainty in the context of the US Presidential election to assist Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3378/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views that support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is unanimous across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 71 together.
It is crucial that European resolve and support for Ukraine remains consistent. Russia’s brutal invasion has had appalling consequences for the Ukrainian people but also has wider implications, including for the security of the European continent.
This is the context in which Ireland strongly supports putting EU financial support for Ukraine on a more sustainable footing over the coming years. Ireland has consistently supported Ukraine’s EU candidacy and welcomed the December European Council decision to open accession negotiations. We view European Union membership for Ukraine as a key long-term security guarantee. As the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches, the decision to commence accession negotiations made clear that the European Union is resolutely committed to continuing to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
At EU level, work continues to unanimously agree of the Ukraine Facility, which will provide stable, predictable and multi-annual EU funding. EU leaders will meet in Brussels on 1 February at an Extraordinary European Council, convened specifically with a view to finalising agreement on this issue.
Along with our EU partners, Ireland continues to engage with international partners to build broad support for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, based on Ukraine's Peace Formula. This Formula has been endorsed by the European Council and covers nuclear safety; food security; energy security; release of prisoners; the UN Charter; withdrawal of Russian troops; restoration of justice; countering ecocide; preventing escalation and confirmation of the end of the war.
Since its launch by President Zelenskyy at the G20 Summit in November 2022, there are more than 80 countries involved in discussions on implementing the ten-point formula. Working groups have been established for each point of the 10-point plan, with the aim of translating political support into practical and pragmatic implementation. Ireland is engaged in a number of key elements of the plan, including addressing food security, ensuring accountability for Russian actions in Ukraine, and nuclear safety.
Ireland participated in recent meetings on the Peace Formula in Malta and Davos, where a large number of countries from different regions of the world participated. We will continue to engage with Ukraine, and with our European and international partners in the months ahead with a view to arriving at a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
In respect of engagement with the US, our Ambassador from Washington regularly meets a wide variety of Congressional representatives, both Republican and Democrats, to discuss a range of issues, including Ukraine. I will be travelling to Washington in early February and will stress the essential need for continued support to Ukraine in all my meetings at political level.
