Good morning.
Yesterday the world marked three years of the war in Ukraine. It’s the front-page lead story in The Irish Times and in many newspapers and on news sites around the world.
“Ukraine urged the West to unite as it marked three years of all-out war with Russia and heard pledges of solidarity from European leaders, amid tension with Washington and Kremlin praise for US president Donald Trump,” writes Dan McLaughlin, our correspondent in Ukraine.
Today, Ukraine begins its fourth year of war. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy yesterday sought to rally his country again, paying tribute to the thousands of men and women who have given their lives in the defence of the country and their fellow citizens.
“Three years of absolute heroism by our people. Eternal memory to all who stood up in defence of our state and our people, giving their lives so that Ukraine may live,” Zelenskiy said on Monday. “Eternal gratitude to the fallen heroes – the gratitude of Ukraine, the gratitude of all free nations.”
But Ukraine is in a bind now and everyone can see it. US president Donald Trump has taken a very different attitude to the conflict, criticising Zelenskiy and cosying up to Russia and Vladimir Putin. At the UN last night, the US sided with Russia against a European-led motion condemning Russia for the war and backing Ukraine. Now Europe is being challenged to take the place of the US. But that will take money and materiel that European countries don’t have – or would rather spend on other things. Stark choices are approaching everyone.
Yesterday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv with other leaders to mark the anniversary. Micheál Martin addressed the summit by videolink, promising to “say more, do more and spend more” to help Ukraine. EU leaders will hold another emergency summit next week to discuss how to fill the void left by the US’s potential withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron had a more difficult mission to the White House. “While trading compliments and friendly gestures during a convivial White House meeting, Mr Trump and Mr Macron’s polite exchange exposed the deepening divide between the United States and Europe as the newly restored American president seeks to broker a peace deal with Russia,” The New York Times reported.
In Germany, it’s the first item on the agenda for the man expected to become chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Derek Scally reports that Merz said yesterday that it’s “five minutes to midnight” for the EU to achieve security and defence independence from the US.
Micheál Martin follows Macron to Washington in a couple of weeks, and yesterday we reported that he is likely to extend an invitation to the US president to visit Ireland.
Fraught times.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meets at Government Buildings this morning for its weekly meeting. Harry McGee has a run-down on the agenda, which includes approving the final report of the investigation into Project Eagle, the controversial sale of Nama’s Northern Ireland loans to a US investor in 2014. The final report has only been delayed 20 times.
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The Cabinet meets this morning and then the Dáil is open for business for the week. Leaders’ Questions kick off at 2pm, followed by the order of business, likely to feature the weekly row about what the Dáil debates and when.
Full Dáil agenda here.
In the Seanad, the highlight (if it can be called that) is “statements on community safety”. Don’t miss it.
Committees are not yet up and running for this Dáil. But let’s hope we don’t have long to wait.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin will gather in Belfast for the funeral of former IRA leader Brendan “Bik” McFarlane.
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