The Irish premier has said it was “very important” to go to Ukraine early in Ireland’s EU presidency as a demonstration of solidarity.
Micheál Martin was speaking to reporters in the country’s capital, Kyiv, on Thursday.
Asked if there was a danger the EU’s focus would drift because of the war in the Middle East, he said “we have too many wars in the world”, adding that conflict has had “a very, very negative impact” there and on the wider world.
The Taoiseach said it was “very, very important to come out here early” during Ireland’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union to make clear to Ukraine “they are a priority in terms of the Irish presidency”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the bomb-damaged Lukianivska district of Kyiv (Niall Carson/PA)PA WireThe start of Ireland’s term was marked with a ceremony at Dublin Castle on July 1 which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended.
“It’s a long war,” Mr Martin acknowledged, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin obviously is banking on people getting weary and war-weary.”
He said he “can’t comprehend” how the people of Ukraine deal with the war and the losses on the front line were “horrendous”.
“How Russian leadership can preside over the loss of so much life and so many soldiers on both sides, I do not understand,” he continued.
However, he said there was still a “strong” appetite among EU countries to support Ukraine, which was demonstrated by the new package of sanctions agreed by the EU.
Micheál Martin (left) and Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv (Niall Carson/PA)PA WireHe also said opening new clusters as part of Ukraine’s EU accession process would also “facilitate substantial discussions” and “opportunities for Ukraine to progress its application to join the European Union”.
Asked how realistic it would be to progress Ukraine’s accession talks during Ireland’s presidency, given the length of the term, Mr Martin said: “Getting them open is the key thing so that negotiations can be in each of them.
“That’s our agenda, and that’s what we aim to do. It’s quite realistic if we get co-operation from others.”
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He acknowledged “there will always be issues”, but “our job is to try and persuade others to agree to at least open the clusters.
“It does take time then to continue the negotiations, and it’s another decision then to close them, to say that they’re done and dusted and that they’re agreed.”