A senior adviser to Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said Kyiv would welcome more support from Ireland, including lethal military aid.
Ireland has so far provided €55 million in non-lethal aid, including body armour, medical supplies and prepared meals.
In an interview with RTÉ News, Yuriy Sak said: “If, for example, Ireland has more capabilities that they can afford to send to Ukraine, lethal weapons, of course, it will be a welcome move. We are grateful to all countries for any kind of support, because we understand that the capabilities of different countries vary. Some countries have larger military capabilities, and they can provide us with more military lethal assistance. Some are smaller, and that’s why they are unable simply physically to provide the client with tanks or air defence systems.”
Until now, Ireland’s contribution has been channelled through the European Peace Fund (EPF), a separate fund from the EU budget, intended to provide equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of EU partners, mainly in the eastern neighbourhood.
Mr Sak said: “Non-military aid is fine [and] is very welcome as well. Moreover, there are countries whose only type of support that they can afford is giving Ukraine a vote at the UN General Assembly, and we are grateful for that as well. So standing with Ukraine can be done in so many different formats,” reports RTE.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine entering its 10th month, Mr Sak said Kyiv was determined to continue expelling Russian troops from all parts of Ukrainian territory before negotiations were considered.
Mr Yak said Ukraine’s counter-offensives would continue, though he said Kyiv would be “realistic” about worsening winter conditions.
“Ukrainian counter offensives will not stop regardless of weather conditions, regardless of nuclear blackmail, regardless of [Russia’s alleged] Dirty Bombs blackmail, regardless of missile strikes on our capital and other Ukrainian cities,” reports RTE.
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