Taoiseach to attend Ukraine meeting as Zelenskiy criticises Trump comments

James Cox

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will attend a meeting with other European leaders this afternoon to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

It comes amid heightening tensions after talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabai excluded Ukraine and other European allies.

US president Donald Trump suggested Ukraine started the war, while Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Mr Trump is living in a Russian "disinformation space".

Wednesday's meeting was convened by French president Emmanuel Macron and will take place online.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said: “I welcome this opportunity to exchange views with partners on Ukraine.

“In our discussions, we will consider how best we can continue to support Ukraine and how we can ensure a just, sustainable, and durable peace, in keeping with the principles of the UN Charter.

“I will argue that an important way for the EU to help guarantee Ukraine’s future security is to accelerate the process of joining the EU.

“Ukraine is part of the European family and has already undertaken many of the reforms necessary for membership in the most difficult of circumstances.

“As we approach the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion, Ireland remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and its people.”

Mr Zelenskiy cancelled his planned Wednesday trip to Saudi Arabia in what some analysts saw as an attempt to deny legitimacy to the US-Russia talks about the future of his country.