Helen McEntee to join EU foreign affairs ministers in Kyiv for 'united message' of support for Ukraine

The informal meeting of the EU's foreign affairs ministers will include discussions with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, writes acting Political Editor, Paul Hosford, in Kyiv

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said: 'We will come together to remember the victims of the atrocities in Bucha and to reaffirm our commitment to holding Russia fully accountable for its unprovoked invasion.'

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee will today begin a two-day visit to Kyiv, meeting her counterparts from across the EU to send a "clear and united message" of support for Ukraine.

Ms McEntee's trip to the Ukrainian capital will see her take part in an informal meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council and coincides with the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation. EU ministers will attend a commemorative event to mark the occasion.

During the now four-year-old conflict's early days, the story of Bucha caused international outrage. 

After Russian forces withdrew in late March 2022, Ukrainian authorities and international investigators from the UN, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and others uncovered mass graves and bodies of civilians, many showing signs of execution, torture, and mutilation.

The death toll from the massacre has been put at anywhere from the low 70s to 500. While Russia claimed at the time that the images of the town had been staged, reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the New York Times all said that unlawful killing, summary executions, and enforced disappearances had taken place.

The EU meeting will also include discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of the Ukrainian government, focusing on "peace efforts, accountability, and support for Ukrainian veterans returning to society".

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ms McEntee said: “I look forward to joining my EU colleagues in Kyiv to show our strong support for Ukraine. We will come together to remember the victims of the atrocities in Bucha and to reaffirm our commitment to holding Russia fully accountable for its unprovoked invasion.

“After four years of war, the human impact in Ukraine has been devastating. Russia has the power to end this conflict, but instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations, it continues attacks on towns and energy infrastructure. 

Ireland stands firmly with the people of Ukraine.

“I will also reaffirm Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s path to EU membership. I welcome ongoing efforts to secure a fair and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, and I hope meaningful progress can be made soon. 

"By meeting in Kyiv, we are sending a clear and united message that EU support for Ukraine remains strong.”

She will also take part in a series of bilateral engagements on April 1, including the second Ireland-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, the first of which was held in Dublin in December last year during Mr Zelenskyy's visit to the capital.

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