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LAST UPDATE | 24 Feb
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said it would be “irresponsible” for Ireland to rule out sending peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow, while also saying there was “no evidence” that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war.
Harris is in Brussels today for a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
“Ireland can’t come to these meetings or other meetings and talk about standing with Ukraine and talk about peace and then recuse itself from conversations around what happens when a war ends,” the Tánaiste, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, told reporters this morning.
He also said that discussions of post-war plans are premature because Russia has not shown any intention of ending its invasion of Ukraine.
“We can’t just jump to the issue of peacekeeping when we’ve seen no evidence yet from Putin that he wants peace.
“I mean, we hear a lot of talk about peace while a brutal aggressor is continuing to attack Ukraine, and today we mark the third anniversary of that brutal invasion.
However, Harris said that if a peace agreement is reached, Ireland would “engage constructively” – “within the context of the rules that apply in Ireland”.
Today, as we mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD attends the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
— Ireland In The EU (@IrelandInEU) February 24, 2025
Agenda:
🔹Russia's aggression against Ukraine
🔹Situation in the Middle East
🔹Democratic Republic of Congo
Watch below👇 pic.twitter.com/nqHLcqQvYK
The deployment of Irish troops abroad is governed by the ‘Triple Lock’ system, which includes approval from Cabinet, the Dáil and the US Security Council.
The Journal learned last Thursday that the government was considering the move.
He added that it would be “irresponsible and lacking in solidarity for any country to take itself off that pitch”.
Meanwhile Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to attend an online meeting of world leaders organised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the Russian invasion today.
The online meeting is being held on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amid fragile relations between the US and Europe after Donald Trump launched an extraordinary verbal attack on Zelenskyy last week.
The US president called Ukraine’s leader a “dictator” and appeared to accuse Ukraine of starting the war.
Ahead of the meeting, Martin said he would reiterate to Zelenskyy Ireland’s “continued steadfast support” for Ukraine.
“This is also an important opportunity to discuss with partners and with President Zelenskyy how we can ensure a just, sustainable and durable peace, in keeping with the principles of the UN Charter.
“I will also underline our continued strong support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU and argue that an important way to help guarantee Ukraine’s future security is to accelerate the process of joining the EU.
“At this very difficult and uncertain moment for the people of Ukraine, this will also send a strong message of our support and our adherence to the position that Ukraine is part of our European family.
“I will make clear that Ireland stands ready to do all we can to support a just and lasting peace, which is not only crucial for Ukraine but also for the security of Europe.”
The meeting is taking place after talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on ending the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has said his country will not accept any outcome from talks that have taken place between Moscow and Washington since Kyiv was excluded from the discussions.
The Irish Government has said there cannot be a just or sustainable peace that excludes Ukraine or Europe.
With reporting from Press Association
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