“I was pleased to be able to join my European and international colleagues today to take stock of recent developments aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to discuss next steps.

“I reiterated Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine. I welcomed President Trump’s renewed efforts to bring the fighting to an end and echoed his call for an immediate ceasefire. President Zelenskyy has said that the war must end at the negotiating table, and I firmly agree with that view. International borders must not be changed by force and Ireland is committed to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine that is fully in line with the UN Charter.

“I welcome the work by the coalition today to advance work on security guarantees for Ukraine. Ireland is committed to supporting those efforts. I restated Ireland’s openness to contribute to an appropriately mandated peacekeeping mission in the event of a ceasefire, and our commitment to providing non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. Ukraine must get the support it urgently needs to defend itself now and engage in any negotiations from a position of strength.

“As I said to my colleagues today, the obvious reality is that President Putin continues each day to choose violence and destruction over peace. Until Putin understands that peace is his only option, Ireland, the EU, the US, and other likeminded members of this coalition must work together to ensure firm and coordinated pressure on Russia. Russia needs to be held accountable for its actions and should have to pay for the destruction it has caused.

“Agreement on the EU’s 19th package of sanctions against Russia and the US decision this week to ramp its sanctions is welcomed. I also supported efforts aimed at disrupting Russia’s shadow fleet, which is enabling Russia to continue to prosecute its war and which poses a security and environmental risk to us.

“I have always said that Ukraine’s future is within the EU, and that EU membership must form part of a comprehensive package of security guarantees for Ukraine. I support all efforts to unblock and accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations and I look forward to advancing Ukraine’s path towards EU membership during our Presidency of the EU next year.”