The Irish government is considering dramatically increasing its funding for Ukraine amid the beleaguered eastern European country’s ongoing war with Russia.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin informed the Cabinet of plans to increase Ireland’s funding to Ukraine from €271.8m to €454.4m – an increase of €182.6m.
This money would be made through the European Peace Facility, and would be spent between 2024 and 2027. This would bring the EU’s total Ukraine Assistance Fund to a total of €20bn.
However, a spokesman for the Tánaiste said that “In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland has constructively abstained on all lethal equipment elements of the previous EPF support packages for Ukraine.”
Since February of this year, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has urged Ireland to send more non-lethal military equipment to assist him in his country’s war effort, including body armour, oil, rations, engineering equipment, and medical kits.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has asked Ireland to send more non-lethal military aid, including body armour, oil and engineering equipment.#gripthttps://t.co/yjZMZvjsrm
— gript (@griptmedia) February 10, 2023
This is in addition to the millions of euros in non-lethal military aid sent last year by Ireland at the outset of the war.
While the government has stopped short of sending lethal equipment in an effort to maintain Irish neutrality, some government TDs, including Fine Gael Junior Minister Neale Richmond, have advocated for sending lethal Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Ukraine.
Ireland could send 60 of these to #Ukraine this week. Ireland should send them this week. https://t.co/C0kaYclXbg
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) March 2, 2022
Earlier this year, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also said that Ireland will be supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia “for as long as it takes.”
“Ireland and the EU will provide Ukraine with the humanitarian, military, and financial aid it needs until Russia has been repelled,” Varadkar said.
Leo Varadkar says he wants Ukraine to join the EU “as quickly as possible,” and that Ireland will support the embattled country “for as long as it takes.”#gripthttps://t.co/Y2RirwMSXm
— gript (@griptmedia) February 9, 2023
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