Supporting Ukraine will be a central priority of Ireland’s EU presidency this year, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee is expected to emphasise during her visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.
She is also to say that Ireland will continue to offer assistance to Ukraine and ensure it has sustained financial support “to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing illegal aggression”.
As a neutral country, Ireland has precluded itself from giving financial aid to Ukraine for military use.
The visit marks McEntee’s first trip to the Ukrainian capital since taking office. She is to underline Ireland’s continued support four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
She is also to hold the second Ireland–Ukraine strategic dialogue with Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha. During the trip, McEntee is to open Ireland’s new embassy in Kyiv and visit a project supported by Irish Aid at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
On Tuesday, the she visited Bucha, where evidence of civilian killings emerged early in the war.
She described the events that occurred there in 2022 as a “stark and harrowing reminder” of the human cost of the conflict.
“Ireland stands in solidarity with the victims, and we are clear: Russia must be held fully accountable,” she said.
McEntee also reiterated Ireland’s support for a lasting peace settlement that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Regarding Ireland’s presidency of the European Union later this year, McEntee said Ukraine would remain a central focus.
“We will continue to back strong and targeted sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal war, support Ukraine’s path to EU membership,” she said.
The strategic dialogue is expected to focus on deepening the relationship between the two countries.
“The relationship between our two countries is already strong, and I am confident it will continue to grow across economic, cultural and people-to-people ties,” she said.