Dear Micheál, Mr. Prime Minister, Taoiseach!
Ladies and gentlemen, our teams!
Dear journalists!
We truly appreciate having the Taoiseach of Ireland here with us. I recently visited Ireland, and we are very grateful for this long-standing support. We are grateful to the people of Ireland, and I know that many of our people are there. I know there is a very warm attitude toward our people, and I thank you for that. We value that during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, you're right here with us, with Ukraine. You're standing with Ukraine, seeing for yourself what's happening, and understanding what we need to defend ourselves and protect people's lives. Russia's attacks don't stop for a single day. For more than four and a half years of this full-scale war, the Russians have been striking our cities and our villages, targeting life itself in Ukraine. There hasn't been a single day when the Russian army hasn't attacked our civilians. And that says a great deal about who we're fighting and what we're defending. I thank Ireland and all our partners across Europe, in America, and around the world for their tangible support – and for a new support package from you, from Ireland. It truly matters and makes a difference. I thank all the people of Ireland for caring.
Today we discussed the threats and real challenges we face right now, as we approach the fall, when Putin is preparing new attacks against Ukraine, preparing, as we see it, additional mobilization in Russia, and preparing a further expansion of the war.
It's important that today we have a decision on the European Union's new sanctions package against Russia’s aggression. And I'm grateful to every leader and every European country for that support. This is already the 21st sanctions package, and today Micheál assured me that he will work toward the 22nd package. We'll also be working with other partners, outside the European Union, to encourage them to incorporate the EU's new sanctions into their own legal frameworks. Synchronizing sanctions matters a lot. The Taoiseach and I also discussed Russia's global schemes that sustain its war effort – various supply chains for the Russian defense industry. This includes the production of aluminum components used in missiles, combat aircraft, and other weapons. This is one of the issues we're discussing. I'm grateful for the understanding of this threat. It's important that the relevant steps are taken and that Russia's war receives no support whatsoever. Today, we raised the issue of halting European funding for organizations, including sports ones, that allow Russian athletes to compete under the Russian flag in international competitions. Most of those athletes clearly support the war and have ties to the Russian military.
Now, during Ireland's Presidency of the EU, there are also decisions on the clusters for Ukraine. Two clusters have already been opened. We really appreciate your support. I am grateful for the readiness to keep supporting this work. It's very important that Ireland, as the country holding the Presidency, provides leadership, and that Ukraine can count on opening more clusters. This work should move forward actively, so that it is truly felt that a stronger European Union and our European integration are a matter of security for everyone – not just for us, but for everyone in Europe. Together with Ukraine, together with the expertise of our people, and together with our ability to strengthen Europe's defense potential, the European Union will undoubtedly become stronger. Today we also discussed European funding for Ukraine's defense, including the next tranches from the European package that are now being prepared. This is extremely important.
I briefed the Taoiseach on our diplomatic efforts. Yesterday, I spoke with envoys of the President of the United States about the steps we can take together to stop Russia's aggression. But as long as this war continues – as long as Russia's attacks continue – our top priority remains air defense: of course, missiles, first and foremost for the Patriot systems, missiles for other air defense systems, and our joint defense production efforts with Europe and all our partners. We need to move even faster here, and I'm grateful for Ireland's readiness to keep supporting Ukraine and to help advance these priorities in its communications with other partners. Thank you. I want to thank you once again for your understanding that only together in Europe can we overcome the energy challenges we face today. Of course, we especially appreciate Ireland's support for our energy resilience. Thank you for that. Once again, thank you for your visit, Taoiseach.
Glory to Ukraine!
