Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described the EU's decision to un-freeze €90bn in supports for Ukraine as a move that will "hopefully send a signal Europe is in there for the long haul".
Speaking to reporters at the informal EU summit in Cyprus, the Taoiseach said the move is "very significant" for Ukraine as it has taken "a fair hammering over winter".
Mr Martin was speaking after EU ambassadors provisionally agreed to un-freeze the funds which had initially been signed off on by Brussels last December before they were vetoed by former Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán.
Mr Orbán had blocked the funds officially due to a dispute with Ukraine over access to Russian oil, after a key pipeline running through Ukraine was damaged.
However, after Hungary's recent election which saw Mr Orbán removed from power, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to fix the pipeline problem, in turn leading to Hungary agreeing to drop its veto of the move.
The summit of EU member state leaders was being held in Cyprus as it currently holds the EU presidency, before Ireland takes up the six month role in July.
While EU member state leaders are receiving an update this evening on the latest situation in the Middle East and ongoing developments in the Strait of Hormuz, there is as much attention on the economic impact of the crisis on the EU.
Much of that attention is due to yesterday's European Commission decision to relax EU state aid rules to help reduce the impact of surging costs on consumers and companies - potentially opening the door to future price controls, income support schemes and tax incentives.
Micheál Martin held a bilateral meeting this morning in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kryiakos Mitsotakis, where he highlighted long-standing financial ties between both Ireland and Greece.
The informal EU summit will continue tomorrow, with among Ireland's priorities, the ongoing discussion on a multi-annual financial framework for the EU, which is likely to form a significant part of Ireland's six month EU presidency when it begins on 1 July.
