The government and people of Ukraine must be central to any peace deal negotiated with Russia, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has said.
His comments come as US President Donald Trump said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a desire for peace in separate phone calls with him.
Mr Trump said he has ordered top US officials to begin talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr McGrath said it is good to see Mr Trump's personal attention on securing peace in Ukraine, but that from a European perspective, Ukraine is a neighbour and on a accession path to EU membership.
The Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law said there cannot be a situation where aggression is rewarded and that international law must be respected.
Mr McGrath (pictured) said the level of EU support for Ukraine is not fully recognised and the bloc has been instrumental in sustaining Ukraine since the war started almost three years ago.
He said the EU would use all of its channels - diplomatic, political and otherwise - with its partners and allies in the US and would be sharing its views on a just peace for Ukraine with the Trump administration.
Mr McGrath also said that the continent of Europe must be in a position to defend itself and that defence and security can no longer be taken for granted.
"The reality is if we are not secure, and we cannot defend ourselves, then it's very difficult to make plans for anything else."
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
He added that the EU in its mandate over the next five years would work to strengthen its capability collectively. He said that NATO was a distinct and separate organisation, but there is work that can be done in terms of supporting the defence industry in Europe.
"Not just buying more, but buying more together, that's going to be an important part of it, better coordination and working together".
On calls for Taoiseach Micheál Martin not to accept an invite to the White House for St Patrick's Day, Mr McGrath said the Taoiseach recognises the value of diplomacy and engagement and will draw on these skills if he meets President Trump next month.
Mr McGrath said Ireland has "skin in the game" and the trading partnership between the EU and US is a very valuable one.
Tariffs are a lose/lose situation, he added, and the relationship with the US is fundamental.
