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

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 as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet Mr Zelensky in Dublin on Thursday evening following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day.

UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell will join the Ukrainian president for the talks with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner.

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.

“In fact, there was a very specific meeting – the Friends of Ukraine group who met – and there is no question that the European Union and indeed the wider European political community has through its support of Ukraine been indispensable.

“President Zelensky made this point that the US and Russia know that there can be no progress in terms of the European situation or European security or long-term resolution of this issue without European input.

“Without question, if you look at financial supports, EPC member countries and defence and military support from many members of the EPC is indispensable to Ukraine.

“We are now potentially in a process on negotiations.

“I think the Americans accept there should be a European voice at the table.”

“The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to debrief President Zelensky in terms of the meeting today between President Putin, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and we will await the outcome of that.

“There is a further meeting next week in Berlin of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine, which, from the get-go, I think has been a very significant and impactful initiative led by the UK, France, and Germany.”

President of the European Council Antonio Costa said Russia had “decided to undermine” European security “by force, culminating in the invasion of Ukraine”.

Speaking at a press conference at the Convention Centre in the Irish capital, he said: “As the pace of diplomacy accelerated, it is important to recall that the lasting peace needs to be a just peace, and the just peace, a peace that allows for security in Europe to be restored needs to be anchored in clear principles.

“First of all Ukraine is a sovereign nation, like any other nation in Europe, it must be free to choose its alliances and its partnerships.

“Europe has consigned empires and zones of influence to the dustbin of history and we will never allow for them to come to life again.

“Secondly, the future of European security cannot be discussed and decided without Europe.

“That is why the European Union, together with Nato and several European nations, is playing its role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.”

Mr Zelensky also expressed concern at the latest speed restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite internet service over occupied parts of Ukraine where Russian drone attacks are launched from.

He told EPC delegates that the 100mph restriction was limiting Ukraine’s ability to take out the fast-moving jet-powered drones.

“This means more Russian strikes get through, and more of our people are killed, our civilians are killed by Russia,” he said.

“We are trying to get the details from the American side, but so far we know very little.

“But some things are already clear.

“If someone in America is making decisions that basically treat Ukrainian territory as if it is not Ukrainian, then this tells us where things are going.

“We need to be clear and never recognise Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory in any way.”

Arriving at the event amid high security in Dublin on Thursday morning, French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s support for Ukraine was critical because “there is no more US support”.

The meeting at the Convention Centre in Dublin city centre comes after Wednesday’s talks between delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi.

Opening the plenary meeting, Mr Martin reiterated the continent’s support for Ukraine.

“The people of Ukraine deserve a just and lasting peace,” he said.

“They deserve to determine their own future.

“They have shown themselves to be brave and strong beyond measure, and it is long past time for Russia to stop this immoral war.”

Commenting on his scheduled meeting with Mr Kushner and Mr Witkoff, President Zelensky told the EPC: “We will talk with them about the results of these negotiations over the past few days and it is very good that Europeans are now part of these talks, not directly yet, and not yet when the Russians are at the table, but Europeans are already involved, and we need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations.

“From what I have heard from our delegation, the talks were serious, not empty.”

He said a proposed prisoners-of-war exchange between Russia and Ukraine was important.

Mr Zelensky then referred to the issue of security guarantees.

“And here Europe really needs to pay attention,” he said.

“When the Americans and Russians talk about this, it’s not just about security guarantees for Ukraine.

“In fact, it’s more about some kind of new security framework between Europe and Russia, and we find this approach a bit strange, because for 30 years after the Soviet Union collapsed, Europe treated Russia well, and Europe tried to have as much trade as possible, as much co-operation as possible, and as good relations as possible with Russia.

“Putin’s wars are really about only his attitude toward others, not some kind of permanent confrontation with Europe that was impossible to avoid, but still we hear what we hear today.

“We are waiting for more details and Europe needs to pay close attention.”

Earlier, Mr Macron told reporters it was up to Europe to define the future of its own security.

“It’s important today what we do with Ukraine and to clearly keep supporting them,” he said.

“I think it is very important as well to endorse very clear principles and commitments as Europeans in this wider Europe, which is this European Political Community, in order to make sure that we design, ourselves, our own security principles and our own architecture of security.

“I think what’s important is what we do.

“Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine. Let’s be honest.

“But look at the coalition of the willing.

“You have here today in Ireland probably 80% or 90% of the contribution of this coalition of the willing.

“It’s 100% of the support to Ukraine.

“We are those to support Ukraine.

“We are those to help them in this resistance war.

“There is no more US support.

“So, there is some mediation, fine, but at the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans.

“I have no doubt about that.”

Around 50 heads of state as well as senior European Union officials attended the EPC.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were among those arriving at the Convention Centre on Thursday morning amid the biggest security operation in the history of the Irish state.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also attended the meeting, flying into Dublin after attending the UN Cop31 climate conference in Turkey.

His attendance comes as the UK announced sanctions against all 10 of Russia’s major oil producers.

The package includes sanctions on shadow fleet vessels illicitly transporting Russian oil, Russian oil company Slavneft, and Rosneft’s flagship Arctic oil and gas project, LLC Vostok Oil.

At the summit, Mr Burnham co-chaired a security and defence roundtable, which focused on Ukraine, and held a series of bilateral talks.

The EPC was held in Dublin as part of Ireland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council.