I Introduction
1. Ukraine and Ireland, hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Participants”, reiterate their unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s ongoing full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine and temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine. Europe’s security is facing its gravest threat in decades. Ireland remains unwavering in its commitment to support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991, including its territorial sea.
2. Russia’s brutal war is a blatant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations (UN Charter), the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine weakens security and stability across Europe and undermines Russia’s credibility as a party to international agreements. The war continues to aggravate a food and energy crisis that affects the poorest and most vulnerable communities globally.
3. Further to the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine (“G7 Declaration”), adopted in Vilnius on 12 July 2023 by the Group of Seven and the European Union (EU) and co-signed by Ireland, Ireland is committed to maintaining support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and advances its reform agenda, and as it pursues its pathway towards EU integration and accession.
4. The Participants will deepen their cooperation and partnership by pursuing the long-term bilateral security commitments set forth in this Agreement. These commitments are based on the Participants’ common interest in defending the global multilateral system and international law, based on the UN Charter, and protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms.
II Scope
5. The Participants will strengthen their cooperation by pursuing bilateral and long-term commitments across a range of areas, including political support, security assistance and cooperation, humanitarian support, recovery and reconstruction, and ensuring accountability, by pursuing the measures referred to in this Agreement.
6. Since February 2022, Ireland has committed approximately €380 million in humanitarian, stabilisation and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. Ireland’s commitments to Ukraine seek to complement contributions by the other signatories of the G7 Declaration, including the EU and its Member States. These commitments to Ukraine are coordinated with partners and fully reflect the Joint Security Commitments between the EU and Ukraine, signed on 27 June 2024.
7. In this context, Ireland will continue to provide long-term political, security and financial support, as well as humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s invasion. Ukraine, for its part, is strongly committed to the implementation of governance reforms, including transparency, accountability and anti-corruption reforms.
III Political support for Ukraine
8. The future of Ukraine and its people lies within the European family, in the EU. Ukraine’s security is an integral part of European security and Ukraine has the right to choose its own foreign and security policy path, and its own security arrangements.
9. The Participants reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s European aspirations, and in particular towards Ukraine’s membership of the European Union and other international organisations. The Participants therefore warmly welcome the decision by the European Council in December 2023 to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, and the convening of the first Inter-governmental Conference on 25 June 2024.
10. The Participants reaffirm their commitment to work constructively on Ukraine’s progressive integration towards the EU, with a view to its future EU membership. Ireland, in cooperation with the EU and its Member States, will continue to support Ukraine in its reforms and accession path.
11. Ireland remains committed to supporting Ukraine, bilaterally and through the EU and its Ukraine Facility, to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, and modernisation reforms in line with its EU accession path.
12. The Participants recall the merit-based nature of the EU accession process. Ireland commends Ukraine for the successful reform process so far and acknowledges Ukraine’s efforts to strive for the implementation of necessary reforms under extremely challenging circumstances.
13. Ireland recalls its strong support for the EU’s efforts to support Ukraine’s immediate and long-term security and resilience, including through the contribution of non-lethal military and civilian assistance, humanitarian, financial, trade and economic support, hosting of displaced people, support to reforms, recovery and reconstruction, as well as restrictive measures, support to accountability mechanisms, diplomatic support and global outreach.
14. Ireland will continue its diplomatic efforts to promote the implementation of Ukraine’s Peace Formula. Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace based on international law and respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The Participants will work together for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that has broad global support.
15. Ireland will remain engaged on specific elements of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including the work of the International Coalition on the Return of Ukrainian Children under point 4 of the Peace Formula, which aims to secure the return of all prisoners of war and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children and other Ukrainian civilians.
16. The Participants reaffirm their strong commitment to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and call for Russia’s immediate return to respecting the OSCE’s principles and commitments. Ukraine and Ireland commend the important work of the Support Programme for Ukraine and are willing to make full use of the OSCE’s tools in support of Ukraine’s security, stability and reconstruction. The Participants will work closely to this end.
IV Security assistance and cooperation
17. The EU and Ireland, as an EU Member State, have strongly condemned Russia’s war of aggression. Ireland strongly supports the joint position and action taken by the EU to support Ukraine in its self-defence, including the joint security commitments agreed between the European Union and Ukraine, signed on 27 June 2024 and unanimously approved by the European Council.
18. In 2022 and 2023 Ireland committed €122 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine. In 2024 Ireland has committed a further €128 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine.
19. In this context, Ireland also fully supports the continued mobilisation of predictable, sustainable and long-term support through the European Peace Facility (EPF) and the dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) under the Facility. Ireland’s military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility will continue to focus on non-lethal equipment, as outlined in its Programme for Government commitments in respect of the EPF.
20. Ireland will work on supporting efforts to improve capabilities of the security and defence forces of Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression now and deter possible further aggression in the future, with particular focus on de-mining capabilities and training supports through EUMAM as well as to contribute to Ukraine’s Future Force Design.
21. Ireland will continue its training support aimed at addressing the needs expressed by Ukraine in the framework of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM). This framework provides the principal mechanism for Ireland’s continuing non-lethal military support to Ukraine.
22. Recalling that Ireland has already provided various elements of direct support, including the provision of equipment such as mine clearance systems, transport vehicles, ambulances, body armour, and other non-lethal equipment, as well as funding for cyber security support, Ireland will continue to provide ongoing assistance to Ukraine, as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against the ongoing aggression in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
23. Ireland will continue to support Ukraine for the ten-year duration of this Agreement.
24. Ireland’s support will remain steadfast and will remain centred, according to its own capabilities and policy approach, on non-lethal military assistance based on Ukraine’s needs. Such support in the field of security and defence will include, but will not be limited to, the following areas:
- The provision of non-lethal military assistance, including under the European Peace Facility;
- The donation of mine clearance and other similar systems, such as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment;
- The provision of ongoing training to the Ukrainian Defence Forces through the EU Military Assistance Mission, EUMAM Ukraine;
- Membership of the Lithuanian and Icelandic-led demining capability coalition under the Ukraine Defence Contact Group;
- Exploration of other potential avenues of support in terms of Ukraine Defence Contact Group coalitions, such as the Luxembourg and Estonian-led IT coalition.
25. Recognising the scale of the contamination of Ukraine's territory with mines and explosive remnants of war, mine action has been identified as a key priority in the short to long-term. Ireland is committed to supporting the mine clearance of the territory of Ukraine and will continue to explore the provision of funding under the European Peace Facility to support demining, as well as the provision of training support under EUMAM-Ukraine in response to Ukrainian expressed needs in this area, including in developing and sustaining international demining standards.
26. Recalling Ireland’s existing support in the area of cyber security, participants will explore opportunities to deepen cooperation in digital resilience and cyber security to assist Ukraine in detecting and countering Russian and any other malicious cyber activity, in accordance with international law. This will be achieved through enhanced cyber resilience and critical infrastructure protection, cyber threat intelligence sharing, and providing technical and/or financial assistance to Ukraine.
27. The Participants will explore strengthening bilateral cooperation and resilience in countering hybrid threats, as well as countering foreign information manipulation and interference disinformation campaigns and malign propaganda primarily by Russia and any other hostile actors. The Participants will deepen their cooperation within the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, including through Ukraine’s enhanced partnership with the Centre.
28. The Participants will explore mechanisms to share relevant information and analysis on activities by hostile actors, which impact on any aspect of national security and the functioning of democratic institutions, in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.
29. Ireland will also continue to provide strong support for the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). By sharing expertise through the EUAM, Ireland will continue to support Ukraine in reforming the civilian security sector, law enforcement, and the rule of law. Ireland will continue to contribute to the work of EUAM Ukraine in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes, and re-establishing the rule of law in the de-occupied and adjacent territories in Ukraine.
30. The Participants reaffirm their commitment to comply with their obligations under international law, including the duty to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Ukraine will ensure that any military equipment provided by Ireland is used exclusively for Ukraine’s self-defence, and is used in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.
31. The Participants recognise the importance of the maritime order based on international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this regard, Ukraine and Ireland will promote freedom of navigation and safety at sea. The Participants will coordinate their efforts on strengthening international cooperation and collaboration in this domain.
V Humanitarian, reconstruction and reform support
32. Ireland continues to provide temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine due to Russian aggression, under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. To date, over 109,000 people from Ukraine have applied for temporary protection and have been welcomed in Ireland since February 2022.
33. Ireland is committed to providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, to assist Ukraine in reconstruction, and to support its programme of reform and pathway to membership of the European Union. Ireland’s support will remain steadfast, durable and long-term in nature.
34. In 2022 and 2023, Ireland committed €90 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine. In 2024, Ireland has committed at least €40 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine, including for humanitarian, reconstruction, macro-economic and reform programmes in Ukraine, and will work closely with the Ukrainian government and international development partners, including the UN, in disbursing this funding.
35. Irish assistance will also be channelled through relevant trusted civil society organisations operating in Ukraine. Ireland commits to remaining a firm champion of civil society and will in particular seek to pursue appropriate opportunities to support this sector.
36. The Participants recognise the importance of supporting private businesses in Ukraine, as their input plays a vital role in supporting the local economy and enhancing the resilience of affected communities. Therefore, the Participants are willing, in accordance with their national laws and applicable international law and obligations arising from the international agreements to which they are party, to work together to identify opportunities for private sector investment and cooperation in Ukraine.
VI Commitment to reform in Ukraine
37. Inclusive reform is indispensable for Ukraine’s current and future security and prosperity, for its democracy, the resilience of its institutions and for Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership. Ukraine commits to implement reforms as defined by the EU and the International Monetary Fund, notably in the areas of governance, transparency, anti-corruption and democratic control over its security and defence forces.
38. Ireland will continue to provide strong support for the strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, with a view to ensuring that Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and implementation of key reforms is fully aligned with EU rules and standards.
39. Ireland stands ready to provide further advice and assistance to Ukraine, drawing on the experience of its own accession process and membership of the European Union, as Ukraine progresses along its EU path.
VII Promoting Accountability
40. The Participants acknowledge the importance of justice for a lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine and beyond, and the imperative of ensuring that there is no impunity for international crimes committed in and against Ukraine.
41. The Participants reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the accountability of the Russian Federation for all damage, loss or injury to individuals and entities in Ukraine, as well as to the state of Ukraine, as a result of the internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine, including waging a war of aggression in violation of the UN Charter. The Participants are committed to ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and are convinced of the need to establish a tribunal for that purpose. The Participants will continue their engagement in the "Core Group on options for the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine".
42. The Participants will continue to support the investigation and prosecution of alleged international crimes committed in and against Ukraine and will continue to support the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Furthermore, Ireland will continue to deploy experts through the EUAM to support the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and to build Ukraine’s capacity to investigate and prosecute war crimes in the context of Russia’s war of aggression.
VIII Compensation for damage, loss and injury caused by Russian aggression
43. The Participants reaffirm that the Russian Federation must be held accountable for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts in and against Ukraine. Ireland will continue to support the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets within the EU until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused by this war.
44. Ireland supports the work ongoing to find ways to utilise frozen and immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine and its recovery and reconstruction, in accordance with EU and international law and in coordination with partner countries.
45. The Participants welcome the agreement reached at EU-level to ensure the extraordinary revenue generated from immobilised Russian sovereign assets will be used to support Ukraine. Ireland will continue to support efforts within the EU to examine further possibilities for use of extraordinary revenue generated from Russian sovereign assets, in coordination with international partners, including the G7.
46. As a priority, the Participants will continue to work together, along with G7 states and others, towards the establishment of an international compensation mechanism to provide compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russia's aggression, as envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine adopted by the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe CM/Res(2023)3. This may include the exploration of appropriate options for the financing of an international compensation mechanism to provide prompt and adequate compensation to victims of aggression.
IX Sanctions
47. The Participants recognise the value of sanctions in restricting the Russian Federation’s access to the finance, goods, technology and services it is utilising in its aggression. Ireland will remain committed to pursuing robust restrictive measures and export controls against those sectors of the Russian economy and outside that are supporting or profiting from the war, or assisting in sanctions circumvention in third countries.
48. Ireland will continue to take determined action through the EU to uphold sanctions against the Russian Federation and to tackle all forms of circumvention of restrictive measures. Ireland will also cooperate and share expertise with Ukraine on EU restrictive measures, their implementation and efforts to combat sanctions evasion.
49. The Participants will provide each other with up-to-date appropriate information on the grounds for sanctions listings and related relevant information, in compliance with relevant obligations and national laws.
X Consultation mechanisms
50. In order to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement and to ensure an ongoing strategic dialogue, appropriate consultation structures between the Participants will be arranged.
51. In particular, the Participants will develop senior-level consultations on political and strategic matters, including regular strategic dialogues on the strengthening of Ukraine’s security, defence, resilience, and reform path.
52. In the event of future Russian armed attacks against Ukraine or the significant escalation of the ongoing aggression, the Participants, at the request of either of the Participants, will consult within 24 hours, bilaterally or via other channels they both deem appropriate, in order to determine appropriate next steps.
XI Final Provisions
53. The Participants will implement this Agreement in accordance with their international and national legal obligations, including Ireland’s obligations as a member of the EU, budgetary appropriations, and in full respect for Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality.
54. This Agreement will remain in effect for 10 years from the date of its signature.
55. In accordance with the G7 Joint Declaration of 12 July 2023, the Participants share the opinion that this Agreement is without prejudice to Ukraine pursuing a pathway toward future membership in NATO.
56. The Participants will, if necessary, designate authorised bodies for the development and implementation of bilateral arrangements in accordance with the areas of cooperation specified in this Agreement.
57. The authorised bodies of the Participants may conclude executive and technical arrangements on specific areas of cooperation within the framework of the implementation of this Agreement or supplementary to this Agreement.
58. This Agreement may be brought to an end by either Participant at any time by written notice to the other Participant. The Agreement will be discontinued six months from the date of receipt of such notice.
59. This Agreement may be amended and supplemented, including by adding annexes thereto, by mutual consent of the Participants, which will be made in writing.
60. Any difference in the interpretation and implementation of this Agreement will be settled amicably through direct consultations between the Participants.
61. This Agreement will come into effect on the date of signature.
Signed in Kyiv on 4 September 2024, in duplicate, in the English and Ukrainian languages, the English version of which will prevail in the event of any discrepancy.
For Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For Ireland: Simon Harris, TDTaoiseach