Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Ukraine requires security guarantees in the event of Russia attempts to invade again in a number of years' time.
Speaking to RTÉ News at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Martin said: "If there was an imperfect peace, there have to be security guarantees for Ukraine."
The Taoiseach also said that a European army "isn’t on the agenda", following Ukrainian President’s Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech this morning in which he called for the creation of a European army.
Many of today’s discussions on European security in Munich revolved around calls for European countries to increase their expenditure on defence.
NATO members are discussing increasing their defence budgets from 2% to 3% of GDP.
"To my European friends, I would say, get into the debate, not by complaining that you might, yes or not, be at the table, but by coming up with concrete proposals, ideas, ramp up the spending," Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General told attendees earlier today.
The Taoiseach said that European member states, including Ireland need to "increase their military capabilities", adding that the Government’s target remained to reach €1.5bn of expenditure on defence by 2028.
"Expenditure has increased year by year. Our capital programme has increased. We've transformed our military barracks, and will continue to do so, but the procurement is slow," said Mr Martin.
"There’s been a lot of criticisms of the lack of agility and nimbleness, if you like, in the European defence industry.
"That it’s very slow, and that's a concern that is being articulated across other European member states. We will be working with others in terms of trying to accelerate procurement."
Maritime and cyber security remain two key areas for defence expenditure, he said.
"Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the number of cyber-attacks on our private sector and across Europe has increased exponentially," said Mr Martin.
Ireland’s annual military defence budget of approximately 0.24% of GDP is one of the lowest in the EU.
"There will always be limits to what a small country like Ireland can do. We're not a military nation or power and will not be," said Mr Martin, adding that the Government would focus on "more practical immediate threats" such as cyber risks and in the subsea cable security.
The cancellation of a forum on global food security this afternoon meant that Mr Martin and Mr Zelensky were unable to meet as planned.
It is unclear why the event was cancelled.
Ukraine will again be the focus of many of today’s discussions and, in particular, European support for the embattled country.
Yesterday, Mr Zelensky said that his country needs "security guarantees" during a meeting with United States Vice President JD Vance.
Mr Zelensky and Mr Vance had discussed the Trump administration's efforts to broker a peace deal with Russia.
This evening, US Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will take part in a forum entitled 'Peace Through Strength: A Plan for Ukraine'.
It could a first public glimpse into the details of the Trump administration’s proposed peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine.
