‘Ukraine’s future is within the European Union’ — Irish PM aims to open all EU negotiation clusters for Kyiv by end of year

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Ireland would try to advance Ukraine’s EU membership bid before its presidency of the Council of the EU ends on 31 December 2026. At a joint press conference in Dublin with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Martin said Ukraine’s future was in the EU and that opening the remaining negotiation clusters was a priority.

Ukraine has opened four of six clusters, with two still to be opened; Martin said this would require persuasion and that Ireland hoped to build on support for Kyiv. He also reaffirmed support for EU sanctions on Russia and financing Ukraine’s defence through 2027. The leaders said they were exploring a partnership on drone production, particularly unmanned systems for maritime security, while Zelensky called for Europe to take part in talks to end the war.