Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that international borders should never be altered through force, as anticipation grows ahead of a meeting between the presidents of the United States and Ukraine, reports Breaking News.
Mr Martin participated in a virtual gathering on Sunday with fellow leaders from the “coalition of the willing,” a group backing Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The video conference was initiated by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reports Breaking News.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to meet with Donald Trump on Monday, while several EU leaders, including Sir Keir, are expected to join him in Washington DC as a sign of continued support.
Mr Martin, who is not attending the Washington visit, said he had given his assurance to Mr Zelenskiy on Sunday that Ireland would “continue to steadfastly support Ukraine”, reports Breaking News.
European leaders have united in the view that if Russia maintains its offensive, sanctions and broader economic penalties “will be reinforced”.
The Taoiseach further stated that he believes Ukraine requires “long-term security guarantees”.
Following the virtual meeting, Mr Martin said: “I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine. We had a very useful engagement with President Zelenskiy as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington,” reports Breaking News.
“I welcome the initiative by President Trump to seek the ending of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland, together with our European partners, continues to contribute to these efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” reports Breaking News.
This latest round of European engagement comes after the US President held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday.
Mr Martin said it is “essential that Ukraine is a full participant” in all talks concerning its future.
He said: “I therefore welcome that President Zelenskiy will meet with President Trump in Washington tomorrow, together with other European leaders, reports Breaking News.
Mr Martin also underlined the importance of respecting core principles such as national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity in order to ensure regional security.
“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force. I fully agree that Ukraine needs strong, credible, long-term security guarantees. This will mean sustained support from Europe, the United States and other partners. Ireland stands ready to play our part. Earlier this year we committed to providing non-lethal military support to Ukraine and we will look to do more. At today’s meeting, I also reiterated Ireland’s readiness to contribute to any peacekeeping force that is in line with the UN Charter,” reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach reaffirmed Ireland’s backing for Ukraine’s goal of EU membership, insisting that Russia should not be allowed to influence the outcome.
“Our joint efforts for peace should be combined with firm and co-ordinated pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage seriously with negotiations on a just and lasting peace. We agreed today that sanctions and wider economic measures will be reinforced if Russia does not stop the killing. The human dimension and accountability must also be at the centre of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Russia must urgently return Ukrainian children who they have abducted as well as prisoners of war and civilians being held unlawfully,” reports Breaking News.
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