Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
142. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to clarify the position of the State regarding military aid to Ukraine, and the implications for Irish neutrality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8645/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s policy of neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.
Ireland’s military assistance to Ukraine and our support for assistance measures for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility do not contravene Irish neutrality.
Our support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself from Russia's brutal attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity is in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
As the Government has repeatedly underlined, Ireland is militarily neutral but is not politically neutral in the face of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.
Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine has caused immense suffering and loss for the people of Ukraine, and continues to transform the security environment in Europe.
It has undermined the foundations of the international rules based system on which the United Nations is based.
The principle that borders cannot be changed by force protects us all.
Ireland has consistently expressed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and, with our EU partners, we continue to provide Ukraine with the support necessary to exercise its right to self-defence.
Last year, the Government provided €200 million in bilateral, non-lethal military support for Ukraine. The bulk of this has been provided through procurement partnerships with Denmark and Lithuania, to provide elements of air defence purchased from Ukraine’s defence industries. This support will help Ukraine defend its towns and cities and its energy infrastructure from Russia’s brutal air and drone attacks.
This support is separate to non-lethal military equipment provided to Ukraine by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces.
We continue to support also the use of the European Peace Facility to provide military support for Ukraine. In Ireland’s case, this is support is non-lethal in nature.
Ireland welcomes the agreement reached at the December European Council for a €90 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. Our support for the loan is entirely consistent with our ongoing position on support to Ukraine, which to date has included political, humanitarian, non-lethal military, and economic assistance.
