Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin announced that Ireland will not participate in Ukraine’s ‘Resistance’ force. He clarified that Irish soldiers will not be sent to join the force, but Ireland remains open to participating in peacekeeping missions.
Speaking at the Irish-British summit in Liverpool, Martin said, “If there is a ceasefire or if the conflict ends, Ireland is always open to peacekeeping, but we will not be part of any resistance force.” He emphasized that peacekeeping and resistance forces are “two different and distinct matters.”
France and the United Kingdom have indicated their readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine in support of a potential ceasefire, though they have not provided specific details on the roles of their forces.
Last Thursday, Martin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ireland. Following the meeting, he proposed Ireland’s involvement in a peacekeeping mission.
Although not a member of NATO, Ireland has a history of contributing its 8,500-strong military to international peacekeeping operations. The country maintains strict policies against joining any military force, reflecting its traditionally neutral stance.
The Irish government also announced plans to eliminate the “Triple Lock” mechanism, which currently requires United Nations approval to deploy its military abroad. This proposal is politically sensitive, as opposition parties consider the Triple Lock a cornerstone of Ireland’s neutrality.