Ireland to Prioritize Ukraine EU Bid During 2025 Presidency Amid Shifting Domestic Support
Ireland will prioritize Ukraine’s EU membership negotiations during its 2025 EU presidency, despite scaling back domestic support for Ukrainians. President Zelenskiy emphasized unity and EU aspirations, while Ireland affirmed its commitment to advancing Ukraine’s bid. Concurrently, Ireland has issued over 14,000 visas to Russian citizens since 2022, raising security concerns.
Ireland plans to prioritize Ukraine’s European Union membership negotiations during its rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2025. This comes as Ireland's domestic support for individual Ukrainians is changing, with temporary measures implemented after the 2022 Russian invasion being scaled back.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the Oireachtas in late 2022, emphasizing the need for European unity and Ukraine’s desire to join the EU as equals. Taoiseach Micheál Martin reiterated Ireland's support, stating Ukraine belongs in the EU and Ireland would advance membership negotiations, including during its 2025 presidency.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee discussed Ireland's upcoming presidency with Zelenskiy in Kyiv in late March. Ukraine hopes the EU will formally open the six negotiation «clusters» required for membership, potentially as early as next month or July. Ireland's finalized EU policy program will be published in early June.
Separately, Ireland has granted over 14,000 visas to Russian citizens since the 2022 invasion, with almost 97 percent approved. Dublin MEP Barry Andrews has called for a re-examination of these figures, citing concerns about potential «hostile» intelligence agents.