Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2024
17. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the informal exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba at the June EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27276/24]
View answer35. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions and engagement he has had with EU counterparts on the grave situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27271/24]
View answer44. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the EU Foreign Affairs Council discussion on the Russian aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27275/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 35 and 44 together.
On 24 June, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, where Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine was a key focus of discussion. As is now common practice, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, joined us by VC at the beginning of the discussion. I greatly value this regular opportunity to hear first-hand from Minister Kuleba, who briefed on a range of issues, including the current situation on the ground and Ukraine’s most urgent needs.
It is apparent that Ukraine’s most urgent needs are for its defence, in the face of ongoing relentless Russian attacks, which are particularly focused on energy installation and other critical civilian infrastructure. The Foreign Affairs Council also formally adopted the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, and discussed the outcome of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland on 15 and 16 June, which represented an important first step to build consensus around the principles underlying a future peace in Ukraine.
The European Council has taken a number of important decisions in recent months, with a view to providing predictable and sustained financial support for Ukraine in the period ahead. At Monday's FAC discussion, I highlighted the importance of maintaining this momentum through the second half of 2024 and called on all EU Member States to commit to the early and consistent implementation of our decisions.
I also underscored Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU accession process. The holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference on Ukraine on 25 June was another milestone moment in EU-Ukraine relations, as the formal start of Ukraine's negotiations on EU membership. This represents a clear recognition of the immense commitment that Ukraine has shown to the EU accession process, and to advancing the necessary reforms, despite the incredibly difficult circumstances.
I continue to raise support for Ukraine in all my bilateral contacts with my Ministerial counterparts. The European Union continues to face a grave security threat from Russia. Russia’s ongoing attacks against Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure are part of a broader effort to break the will of the Ukrainian people, and demonstrate Russia’s clear desire to continue escalation. In response to these challenging circumstances, I am committed to working with my EU counterparts to ensure that we continue to deliver the multifaceted support Ukraine needs to defend itself.
