Tánaiste Simon Harris has urged Russia to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, warning that failure to do so could result in heightened European Union sanctions.
His comments followed a high-profile meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the wake of that summit, President Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that “big progress” had been made towards resolving the conflict, though his messaging appeared to lean more towards a peace agreement than an immediate ceasefire.
Fresh Demands from Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin is now reportedly demanding that Ukraine relinquish control of the eastern Donetsk region as part of any potential freeze to the current front lines.
While the suggestion has sparked concern, Harris welcomed Trump’s stated desire to bring an end to the conflict. Still, he made clear that a genuine and total ceasefire must come first.
“As a first step, we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Harris stated on Saturday.
No Security Without Guarantees
Harris was firm in his view that any path to peace must ensure Ukraine’s long-term safety.
“Ukraine also needs strong and credible security guarantees that will ensure its long-term security. This matters not just for Ukraine but also for Europe’s future security,” he added.
Ireland, he confirmed, remains aligned with EU partners in preparing further sanctions should Moscow resist.
“Ireland, with our EU partners, stands ready to impose additional sanctions and maintain firm and coordinated pressure on Russia.”
With peace talks gaining momentum and power players engaging behind closed doors, pressure mounts on Russia to halt its military aggression. But as demands grow louder, will Putin compromise?
Zelenskyy Must Be Involved
Harris also underscored the importance of including Ukraine’s leadership in any future peace negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump and other European leaders in Washington on Monday.
“President Zelenskyy and his government must be involved in all decisions on how the conflict ends. We must remember that Russia remains the aggressor in this conflict, and can end its aggression at any time,” said Harris.
He emphasised that Ireland will remain committed to efforts for a peaceful resolution that fully respects international law, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and its borders.
Zelenskyy Responds
Following the Alaska summit, Zelenskyy shared his cautious optimism on Twitter/X, saying he welcomed a proposed trilateral format for future discussions involving Ukraine, the USA, and Russia.
“Ukraine emphasises that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this,” he posted.
But his optimism quickly turned to concern. In a later post, he criticised Moscow’s continued resistance to ceasefire calls.
“We see that Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing.
This complicates the situation. If they lack the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater [measures] — peaceful coexistence with its neighbours for decades.”
As diplomatic channels heat up, pressure on Russia to end the bloodshed grows. But with new demands surfacing and lines being drawn, the road to lasting peace remains uncertain.
