Taoiseach pledges steadfast support for Ukraine during Ireland's EU Presidency

Taoiseach says Ireland will press for tougher sanctions on Russia and advance Ukraine's EU accession negotiations

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Dublin Castle. Picture: Niall Carson

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has pledged Ireland's "steadfast support" for Ukraine, saying the Irish EU Presidency will work to ensure the country continues to receive "political, financial and military support".

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Martin said Ireland would work to "step up pressure" on Russia to bring it to the negotiating table.

Mr Martin said Ireland's presidency would seek to "deny" Russia the funding it uses to prosecute its war in Ukraine.

He added that this would include negotiating a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia.

"We will work to ensure you continue to receive the political, financial, and military support Ukraine needs to resist Russia's aggression," Mr Martin said.

*What is at stake is fundamental for European security as a whole, and for the international rules-based order on which we all depend for our security."

Mr Martin said the beginning of Ukraine's EU accession negotiations last month had been a "significant milestone", adding that Ireland wanted to see all remaining negotiating clusters opened by the end of its EU Presidency.