Tánaiste announces allocation of €100 million to provide non-lethal military support to Ukraine

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, today announced the allocation of €100 million to provide non-lethal military support to Ukraine.

The support will be provided through partnerships with EU Member States already procuring from Ukraine and through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group Coalitions on De-mining and ICT. This will ensure that Ireland’s support can reach Ukraine quickly, at a critical moment for the country. It is fully in line with the government’s position of providing non-lethal military support to Ukraine, and our support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence under the UN Charter.

The Tánaiste said: “Last week we marked the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal further invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine continues, with deadly attacks on its cities and on its energy infrastructure. This has reinforced the need to ensure that Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend its territory."

"During his meeting with the Taoiseach last week, President Zelenskyy expressed appreciation to the people of Ireland for our sustained support for Ukraine, including through the provision of non-lethal military support. Today’s decision will ensure that we can continue to help Ukraine to defend itself now, and in the future.

"We will also continue to work with our EU and international partners towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on Ukraine’s terms, based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and with justice and accountability at its heart.”

Ireland has previously committed approximately €250 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility (EPF). This commitment was reinforced bilaterally through the Agreement on Support for Ukraine and on Cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine signed in Kyiv on 4 September 2024. At EU level, the release of the majority of this funding under the EPF is currently blocked by Hungary, meaning Ireland has been able to disburse only a proportion of this commitment to date.

Today’s decision will enable Ireland to provide non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine via two key channels. The first will be through procurement partnerships with European Union Member States already procuring military support for Ukraine through Ukrainian Industry. This will support the procurement of non-lethal supports that Ukraine has identified as a priority. Examples of such supports could include radar systems and anti-drone jamming devices. The second will be through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group De-mining and IT coalitions.

The €100 million will be allocated as follows (subject to the stated priority non-lethal equipment needs of the Ukraine Defence Forces):

• Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) De-mining and IT coalitions - €20 million
• procurement partnerships with EU Member States - €80 million

Ireland is a member of the two Contact Groups through the Department of Defence.

The support provided is in addition to a range of items provided through the Department of Defence including military rations, body armour, mine flails, vehicles, satellite communications systems, as well as €2 million to the ICT Coalition. Further donations, including C-IED Robots and Air Defence Radar are progressing.

The government has provided €130 million in humanitarian support and assistance to Ukraine since February 2022.