Ukraine in ‘peril’ and will be defeated without EU and US support Irish PM says

Ukraine is in “peril” and will be defeated if the US and EU fail to provide adequate financial support amid the ongoing fight against Russia, Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar has warned.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said this week’s meeting of the European Commission was one of the most important he has ever attended due to the decisions that will be taken in relation to Ukraine, Breaking News.ie reports.

Mr Varadkar said he wanted the bloc to back a new financial package for Ukraine and also give the go-ahead for accession talks around its proposed EU membership to begin next year.

Mr Varadkar said it was vital that the EU and US continued to back Ukraine.

“I’ve been attending European Council meetings for six or seven years now, this is probably one of the most important ones that I’ve attended, precisely because of the big decisions we have to make in relation to Ukraine, a financial decision and also a decision on whether to begin negotiations (on accession).

“And we have to say yes to at least one of those two and, ideally, both of those two, because Ukraine is in peril.

“Ukraine will not stand without support and ongoing support from both the European Union and the US, the two towers of freedom and democracy in the world.

“And if Ukraine doesn’t have support from the EU and the US, well then Putin will win and all of the consequences that flow for the world after that.

“So that’s why this meeting is so important. We must come away here with a financial package for Ukraine that is sustainable, that gives them the assurance that they will be funded for the next few years if needs be, and sends a very clear message to the Kremlin as well.

“And then also, I’ll be very strongly supporting the opening of negotiations. It might take many years for Ukraine to join the European Union, but we should begin negotiations next year.

Mr Varadkar added: “If we can’t support Ukraine throughout 2024, Putin will win. And I can’t even begin to contemplate the consequences for the world for all of us if that were to happen. So this is a really important meeting. And a really big decision to be made.”