IRELAND would consider sending troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission if a secure ceasefire is agreed, Government sources confirmed today.
The US and Russia are currently engaged in negotiations to bring an end to the war in Ukraine – however, without any Ukrainian or European officials at the talks.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week suggested that he would be willing to send British troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission if the US provided a security backstop.
Other European countries, including Italy and Poland, have pushed back against the idea of sending their soldiers to Ukraine to keep the peace in the event of a ceasefire.
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Simon Harris said “we’re not at that moment” when asked whether Ireland would send troops to Ukraine.
However, the messaging from Government changed tonight following Taoiseach Micheal Martin‘s attendance at a Ukraine summit.
The Taoiseach attended the online meeting alongside EU leaders as well as officials from Canada, Norway and Iceland.
The meeting lasted two hours, with a strong agreement from those in attendance for steadfast support for Ukraine.
It’s understood the leaders reached a consensus that any resolution must involve a just, sustainable peace.
The Taoiseach raised the importance of accelerating the process of Ukraine joining the EU.
Following the meeting, Government sources briefed that Ireland would consider sending troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission if a secure ceasefire is agreed.
However, this would only be possible if the ceasefire is agreed with an international mandate on UN principles that needed to be monitored by peacekeepers.
Government sources said this would be along the same lines as the Irish Defence Forces‘ current peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
Ireland can only send soldiers overseas for a peacekeeping mission if it is signed off by the UN Security Council, the Government and the Oireachtas.
