Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described the recent Oval Office exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “quite extraordinary” and “very unsettling.” The tense encounter has raised fresh concerns over the United States’ stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine, with European leaders closely monitoring the situation.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, Mr Martin reiterated his strong support for Ukraine and its people while acknowledging the complex geopolitical challenges Europe faces.
Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine
The controversy comes as Deputy Premier Simon Harris held discussions with Ukraine’s foreign minister and ambassador to Ireland to reaffirm Ireland’s “full solidarity” with Kyiv. Mr Martin himself met with President Zelensky during a recent stopover in Ireland before the Ukrainian leader travelled to the US.
The Irish premier expressed his deep admiration for Mr Zelensky’s leadership in the face of Russia’s ongoing invasion, stating:
“I have the utmost admiration for him and for the resilience of the Ukrainian people in fighting back the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Concerns over US-Ukraine relations
The Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky has unsettled European leaders, raising questions about the US’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine. During the exchange, President Trump reportedly pressed Mr Zelensky on potential peace negotiations, a stance that has alarmed many in Europe.
Mr Martin highlighted the broader diplomatic efforts at play, referencing recent visits by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, and President Zelensky to Washington. He noted that while peace is the ultimate goal, the trust deficit between Europe and Russian President Vladimir Putin remains a significant barrier.
“Europe does not trust President Putin, and with good reason given what happened in the Crimean invasion and so on.”
When asked whether Europe still trusted President Trump, the Taoiseach was candid:
“I think Europe will continue to engage. I think Europe is worried. I think Europe has already, to a certain extent, made up its mind that it has to do an awful lot more itself in terms of defence, in terms of independence.”
Fears of further Russian aggression
The Irish premier pointed to growing anxieties in Eastern Europe, particularly among the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) and Poland, about the potential consequences of a Ukrainian defeat.
“The fear, for the Baltics in particular, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, they have an existential fear that if Ukraine falls, they are next. Russia is spending 10% of its GDP on arms and weapons.”
Mr Martin stressed that Europe must take a more active role in its own defence and cannot rely solely on the United States. He noted that President Macron has long pushed for greater European military independence, a position that is now gaining traction across the continent.
Engagement with the US remains crucial
Despite concerns over the Oval Office exchange, Mr Martin emphasised the importance of ongoing diplomatic engagement with the US. He acknowledged that President Trump appears eager to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia but warned that any agreement must come with strong security guarantees.
“What we are saying, and what President Zelensky is saying, is it can’t just be another ceasefire that is not sustainable, that will get breached and has no security guarantees.”
He also highlighted that France and the UK are now prepared to play a more prominent role in deterring future Russian aggression.
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“I think Europe will stand with Ukraine. This has been a huge, unsettling setback today, there is no doubt about that, but we can’t lose hope here. We’ve got to hold our nerve in Europe, we have got to get behind Ukraine, engage with the United States, and others with a view to giving Ukraine the security that it requires.”
Ireland’s diplomatic efforts
Following the Oval Office controversy, Tánaiste Simon Harris reaffirmed Ireland’s unwavering support for Ukraine, speaking directly with Ukraine’s foreign minister in Washington and Ukraine’s ambassador to Ireland.
A spokesperson for Mr Harris stated:
“The Tánaiste has spoken to the Ukrainian foreign minister, who is in Washington DC, tonight and has also spoken to Ukraine’s ambassador to Ireland. He has expressed his full solidarity with them and support from the people of Ireland.”
Following Mr Harris’s public declaration of support on social media platform X, President Zelensky personally responded, thanking Ireland for its backing.
With the war in Ukraine entering a critical phase, the diplomatic fallout from the Oval Office exchange underscores the fragile state of global politics. As Europe grapples with the implications of shifting US foreign policy, leaders like Micheál Martin continue to advocate for unwavering support for Ukraine and greater European self-reliance in defence.
