Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said no progress can be made towards a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine without European input, insisting the EU is “potentially in a process” on negotiations.
The conflict in Ukraine dominated a major political summit in Dublin on Thursday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned European leaders of Russia’s desire to reshape the security framework of the continent.
European voice at the table
Speaking after the conclusion of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting, Mr Martin rejected assertions that the US, not Europe, was the key player in peace talks.
“I think the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky at the EPC underpins the value for Ukraine of the European Political Community and the sense of solidarity, support that he has received from many of the countries around the table today,” he said.
“President Zelensky made this point that the US and Russia know that there can be no progress in terms of the European situation or European security or long-term resolution of this issue without European input.”
He added: “Without question, if you look at financial supports, EPC member countries and defence and military support from many members of the EPC is indispensable to Ukraine. We are now potentially in a process on negotiations. I think the Americans accept there should be a European voice at the table.”
US envoys meet Zelensky
Mr Martin made the comments as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were set to meet Mr Zelensky in Dublin on Thursday evening following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day.
UK prime minister Andy Burnham said UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell would join the Ukrainian president for the talks, but Downing Street later said the meeting was delayed and he would no longer be able to attend.
Mr Martin said the purpose of the evening meeting was to “debrief President Zelensky in terms of the meeting today between President Putin, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner”. He noted a further meeting next week in Berlin of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine, which he described as “a very significant and impactful initiative led by the UK, France, and Germany”.
Europe's security principles
President of the European Council Antonio Costa said Russia had “decided to undermine” European security “by force, culminating in the invasion of Ukraine”.
“As the pace of diplomacy accelerated, it is important to recall that the lasting peace needs to be a just peace, and the just peace, a peace that allows for security in Europe to be restored needs to be anchored in clear principles,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s support for Ukraine was critical because “there is no more US support”. He said it was up to Europe to define the future of its own security.
“Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine. Let’s be honest,” he said. “But look at the coalition of the willing. You have here today in Ireland probably 80% or 90% of the contribution of this coalition of the willing. It’s 100% of the support to Ukraine. We are those to support Ukraine. We are those to help them in this resistance war. There is no more US support. So, there is some mediation, fine, but at the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans.”
Around 50 heads of state as well as senior European Union officials attended the EPC, held in Dublin as part of Ireland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council.
