Taoiseach calls EU emergency summit a 'watershed' in Europe's history

Taoiseach Micheál Martin emphasises Europe's need for self-reliance and security in the wake of Russian aggression

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheal Martin speak ahead of a business roundtable at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, after the first in a new series of annual UK-Ireland Summits taking place in Britain. Picture date: Thursday March 6, 2025.

An emergency meeting of the European Council marks a "watershed" in European history, the Taoiseach said.

Micheál Martin said that proposals put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the continent "re-arm" had "found broad favour" among leaders of the EU 27.

Mr Martin said that "there is a very real sense of this being a unique moment, a watershed moment in the history of Europe, and given the necessity for Europe to become more self reliant and self sufficient in protecting itself" given pronouncements from the US and fears over Russian ambition. 

He said that there was "an inextricable link" between the economy and security of the continent".

"Europe is a thriving single market," he said.

"It's a strong economy which has given a good quality of life and rising prosperity over the decades to its people, but that needs protection. It needs security protection. And given what has happened in Europe in terms of the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago, and the sense that Europe does have to become self reliant, I think the proposals of the Commission, in my view, have found broad favour across the member states."

Mr Martin said that he was open to Irish peacekeepers being used in Ukraine, but only after a "durable peace" had been agreed.

"I think there is a commitment to an overall peace, but it has to be sustainable and durable peace. Ireland has said consistently that we would be open to helping in terms of a monitoring mission or a peacekeeping mission, but all of that has to be determined. We wouldn't be involved in a deterrent force, which is a more permanent force on the ground in respect of deterring any future aggression from Russia.

"I think the key point here is there's a real sense of an existential threat to many EU Member States and to Europe from Russian aggression, and that people are very conscious of what has happened in the past when Russia entered Crimea.

"So people are not really just focusing on an immediate ceasefire or truce. They want something more durable, but in the intervening period Europe needs to be strong enough to have deterrents that would essentially mean that Russia wouldn't again, in five or six years time, engage in a violation of the sovereignty of EU member states, or indeed, of Ukraine."