21/2/2023
The government’s decision to send Irish Defence Forces personnel to an EU training operation is a breach of neutrality. The training will be conducted by the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine, whose mission statement is incompatible with Irish neutrality: “The aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations.”
The Irish government has used the war to undermine Irish neutrality, and involvement in the training programme would further undermine neutrality. Therefore, the Irish Neutrality League calls on the government to withdraw from the EU training programme.
The Irish Neutrality League calls for the positive element of Irish neutrality to be exercised. Ireland must publicly call for a ceasefire and peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.