Listen to the article
Ireland and Ukraine are exploring a formal agreement to co-produce unmanned drones, the two countries’ leaders indicated on Wednesday after talks in Dublin ahead of a broader gathering of European leaders scheduled for Thursday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said work between the two sides is already under way, drawing on Ukraine’s battlefield-honed expertise in drone technology. He said Ireland is considering signing a memorandum with Kyiv on the issue, and pointed to maritime security as a concrete benefit the Republic could derive from access to unmanned aerial systems.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a joint press conference, said he was willing to work with the Irish government on drone co-production. He thanked Ireland for what he called its “unwavering support” and said Dublin had consistently demonstrated “a full understanding of what’s happening in Ukraine, and most importantly, of just how unjust Russia’s aggression is against all of us, against Ukraine, and against normal, peaceful life in Europe.”
Zelensky said he had briefed Martin on the current state of the war and argued that ending the conflict without European participation would be both “unjust” and “impossible.” He also expressed gratitude for Irish support packages, describing them as “extremely important.”
Martin described Russia’s conduct as “barbarous” and “vile,” and said Zelensky’s visit — his third to Ireland within a year — demonstrated the “enduring strength of the partnership” between the two countries. He added that the presence of Ukrainians who have settled in Ireland had “solidified” the friendship between the two peoples.
A major security operation was in place across the Irish capital for the European leaders’ summit, with authorities warning of extensive traffic disruption between Dublin Airport and the city centre and restricting public access in parts of the city.