Ukrainian EU accession
Neale Richmond asked whether Ireland would support fast-tracking Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The Taoiseach backed Ukraine's candidate status and said he also supported western Balkan applications.
As Russian tanks roll into the suburbs of Kyiv and as the Ukrainian President issues yet another desperate plea for solidarity, will the Irish Government support the fast-tracking of Ukrainian accession to the European Union?
Comment on this
I said last Thursday at the European Council meeting that I believe the European perspective is the most strategic available option for the EU in terms of the neighbourhood. I support Ukraine's application for EU membership. It is a process but we should be clear in our support for Ukraine's application for candidate status. I support it. As I said last week, we should also support the applications of North Macedonia, Albania and other western Balkan countries.