Ireland should not rule out Ukraine peacekeeping, Harris says

Simon Harris’ comments come on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ireland cannot talk about standing with Ukraine and then recuse itself from conversation around what happens when the war ends, the Tánaiste has said.

It would be "irresponsible and lacking in solidarity" should any country to remove itself in terms of the work involved in maintaining any peace that may be brokered.

Simon Harris said Ireland will engage constructively if we get to a point where there is a need to maintain, not enforce, peace once that happens "within the context of the rules that apply in Ireland".

As the world marks the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Mr Harris said that there has been no evidence yet from Russian president Valdimir Putin that he wants peace so talks around peacekeeping are somewhat premature.

"Any peace that is brought about has to come recognise that there is one aggressor and it is Russia," said Mr Harris.

"The territorial integrity of Ukraine must be maintained and also, any peace settlement must come about in line with the UN Charter."

Taking aim at Donald Trump as the US president announced further negotiations between American and Russian delegations, Mr Harris said: "There truly can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

"Ukraine is not a gift to be offered up by anybody and I think it is really important that we have a conversation today about how the European Union can play a constructive and engaging role in terms of continuing to support Ukraine and also making sure that any peace talks are within those parameters."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs was speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday which will see the ministers discuss the EU response and support for Ukraine "in light of recent events".

Mr Trump's international impact will be a focus of today's meeting but Mr Harris said it is important that the EU does not become a commentator on other's people's comments in other jurisdictions.

He said Ireland and other countries want to work with the US but will continue to speak up and speak out in terms of supporting international law and human rights.

While in Brussels, Mr Harris will also attend a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council where talks will focus on ensuring that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza holds and both sides deliver on the agreements.

While attending the G20 in South Africa last week, Mr Harris engaged with a number of foreign ministers including the Palestinian prime minister and said there is "a lot of work going on by Arab states in terms of a plan for Gaza".

He said Ireland and the EU are happy to engage with Arab partners in terms of looking at the reconstruction of Gaza, the governance of Gaza without Hamas and the security of Gaza.

"The more global solidarity we can build around a plan for the future of Gaza that can ultimately bring peace and stability to the region and move us towards a two State solution is a good thing," Mr Harris said.

Following an informal dinner with the Unrwa (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini last night, Mr Harris warned that there needs to be a "very serious cash injection" to support the work of Unrwa which is in a precarious position after Knesset laws came into effect which prohibits Unrwa from working within Israel's borders and makes it illegal for the agency to have any form of contact with Israeli officials.

"I made the point very strongly last night and I will be making it very strongly again here today that it is really important that the European Commission frontloads the 2025 payment of, I think, about €82m to ensure that practical humanitarian assistance can be provided," said Mr Harris.

"I think it is unedifying to see attacks on UN agencies and I'm particularly concerned about the operation of humanitarian aid in Gaza but I also think it is a slippery slope, if people start trying to pick off or target international agencies and Ireland stands steadfast in its support of Unrwa."