Ireland has said it is open to playing a role in future peacekeeping operations in Ukraine, as European leaders continue to weigh how to support Kyiv while maintaining pressure on Moscow.
In talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed solidarity after the latest Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, which Ukrainian officials said killed several civilians, including children.
“I expressed my view that recent attacks by Russia are a clear demonstration that President Putin is not interested in peace, despite the efforts of the international community to advance negotiations,” Mr. Martin said. He added that the deliberate targeting of civilians amounted to a war crime and extended his condolences for what he called a devastating loss of life.
The leaders also discussed the need to sustain European Union sanctions against Russia, signaling that the bloc may move toward another round of penalties as Moscow’s assault grinds into its third year.
The conversation comes at a time of shifting international diplomacy. President Donald Trump, now in his second term, has taken the lead in trying to broker an end to the war. After a high-profile meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, Mr. Trump urged both sides to pursue a permanent peace deal rather than a temporary ceasefire.
According to officials briefed on the talks, potential sticking points include security guarantees for Ukraine and contested territorial lines — issues that have long stymied previous negotiations.
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For Ireland, the prospect of contributing to peacekeeping efforts would mark a continuation of its traditional role in international conflict zones, where Irish forces have served under United Nations mandates for decades. Dublin’s participation, however, would depend on an eventual agreement between Kyiv and Moscow and the establishment of an international framework.
Mr. Martin underscored that Ireland’s support for Ukraine remained steadfast. “The deliberate targeting of civilians, as we have seen in Kyiv, is a war crime,” he said. “Ireland stands with the people of Ukraine and with efforts to ensure justice.”
As diplomatic maneuvers intensify, Ireland’s readiness for a peacekeeping role reflects both its longstanding neutrality and its commitment to multilateral security.
