'Ukraine's future is within the European Union' — Irish PM aims to open all EU negotiation clusters for Kyiv by end of year

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"We have opened three negotiating clusters and will do all that we can to ensure that the remaining two are opened before the end of the presidency," Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Nov. 11 alongside President Zelensky.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Nov. 11 that it is still his goal to advance Ukraine's accession to the European Union as much as possible by the end of the year, when Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU ends.

Martin delivered his remarks at a joint press conference alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in Dublin earlier that day ahead of the European Political Community summit on Nov. 12.

"It is my strong belief that Ukraine's future is within the European Union," Martin said at the start of the briefing. "We have put Ukraine at the heart of our European Union presidency program."

Martin highlighted the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia and the ongoing disbursement of the EU support loan, saying he remained committed to helping Ukraine finance its defense against Russia through 2027.

"We're also working to achieve as much progress as possible in Ukraine's journey to European Union membership during our term," he said. "We have opened three negotiating clusters and will do all that we can to ensure that the remaining two are opened before the end of the presidency."

Ireland's term as chair of the EU's rotating Council Presidency ends on Dec. 31, 2026. Until then, Dublin is responsible for setting the bloc's agenda, and has repeatedly identified EU enlargement as a primary goal.

Ukraine unlocked a third and fourth of the six enlargement clusters on Oct. 13, leaving two still to go.

Zelensky thanked Martin for Ireland's support and affirmed that Kyiv is ready to advance its bid for EU integration.

"We are set to open all negotiation clusters this year," he said. "This is a very important achievement."

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