There can be no progress in reaching Ukraine peace agreement without EU – Martin

Detailed summary

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the EU is ‘potentially in a process’ on negotiations in finding a peace agreement in Ukraine.

No progress can be made towards securing a peace agreement and bringing an end to the war in Ukraine without European input, the Irish premier has said.

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.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the EU is “potentially in a process” on negotiations in finding a peace agreement in Ukraine.

He made the comments ahead of US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving in Dublin on Thursday following their talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day.

Shortly before 9pm, Donald Trump’s representatives convened for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Baldonnel Aerodrome on the outskirts of Dublin.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell would join the Ukrainian president for the talks with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, but Downing Street later said the meeting was delayed and he would no longer be able to attend.

Earlier, in an address to the European Political Community meeting – the largest ever political and diplomatic event held in Ireland – Mr Zelensky said it was important that Europe has a regular place at the negotiating table amid continued efforts to end the war.

Speaking after the conclusion of the EPC, Mr Martin rejected assertions that the US, not Europe, was the key player in peace talks.

He said: “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.

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