Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews strongly welcomed the visit of President Zelensky to Dublin and stated that Ireland should now prepare for the post-war period.
“Trump’s latest 28-point plan is a farce, but if the talks make any progress, then the conflict may become effectively frozen along the current contact lines,” he noted.
“In my recent visit to Ukraine, I know there is a huge yearning for peace. It is only prudent that Ireland prepares for the possible halting of hostilities in the near term.”
“In that case, Europe must move quickly to stabilise the Ukrainian economy and launch a massive rebuilding effort. Thousands of men and women returning from the front will need jobs and prospects.”
Andrews said that rebuilding Ukraine will be a “long and hard road,” but stated that Ukraine “absolutely deserves EU membership once they fulfil all the accession criteria, including in tackling corruption.
“In the coming years there will be huge opportunities for Irish businesses in the reconstruction of Ukraine, for firms such as Sisk, CRH or Kingspan. And Ryanair have already indicated their intention to invest hugely in post-war Ukraine. It is a potential new market with a 40 million population for Irish exporters.
“Ireland should also engage intensely ahead of its EU Council Presidency, on how Ukrainian accession will require reforming EU voting rules, how it will affect the EU budget and EU sectors like agriculture and research.
“Ireland should also prepare for a possible peace-keeping deployment to Ukraine, which is an area we have many years of experience”
“Ukrainian accession can be a massive win-win for Europe, but it must be handled with great diplomatic skill, underpinned by economic investment and jobs,” he stated.