Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said there can be no peace agreement imposed on Ukraine without its support and the support of the European Union.
Speaking on arrival at her first meeting of the EU's foreign affairs council as foreign minister, she said: "It's really important that on any agreement that is reached that there is full support from Ukraine, but also from the EU.
"I would repeat, the actions of Russia in recent days do not show a country that wants a lasting peace, and so Europe must be absolutely firm in its solidarity and its support for Ukraine. Ireland has always stood resolutely with Ukraine, and that certainly won't change."
On Ukraine, I reiterated Ireland's unwavering solidarity. Russia’s brutal missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Wednesday night’s strike on Kyiv, once again highlight the cynical targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) November 20, 2025
EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue at their meeting in Brussels today, as well as how to sanction Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers shipping crude oil across the globe, in violation of a G7 oil price cap.
Ministers will also discuss what role the EU can take in the Middle East Peace Process, as a fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold.
There will be a meeting of the Palestinian Donors' Group in Brussels later this afternoon, which Ms McEntee will attend.
The minister said it was unacceptable that Israel continue to withhold tax and customs revenues from the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
"It is important that any monies that are owed to the Palestinian Authority, tax monies, that they are paid.
"It’s very clear that there will be significant financial support that is needed to rebuild Gaza, and that that financial support will need to be sustained over a long period of time.
"Ireland is absolutely committed to that, and has been committed to providing whatever financial support that we can, and that will continue. And I think those conversations need to be had with Israel, as well as with other member states across the EU and beyond as well."
Ms McEntee said that in Gaza there was still a "significant risk" of tens of thousands of people starving.
"We need to ensure that our humanitarian aid, that is finally flowing in, that that can increase, and that we are working towards a long, lasting peaceful solution, that we are working towards that two state solution."
She said the Government was determined to progress the Occupied Territories Bill. However, it was "complex and not straightforward".
"We've given a commitment in relation to goods. In terms of services, this is something that we are exploring further and working with the Attorney General on.
"We are still, and I am still. committed to progressing this piece of legislation, working closely with our colleagues, not just across Europe, but in the US as well," the minister said.
