Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted a formal application from Ukraine to join the European Union.
On the fifth day of the Russian invasion, Mr Zelensky requested that his country be allowed to join the 27-nation bloc.
This comes after peace talks between Russia and Ukraine broke down in Belarus, without an agreement for ceasefire reached.
The Irish premier has cast doubt on the idea that Ukraine may be able to join the EU with immediate effect.
speaking in Dublin, Micheal Martin said: “I don’t know whether it can be done immediately.
“But I certainly would be a proponent and supporter of accelerating it and making it very clear that they can become members of the European Union.
“I’ve always favoured the acceleration of the European perspective for countries in our neighbourhood.”
The Taoiseach also said the Irish decision to fund items such as PPE, medical equipment and supplies for Ukraine, as part of a wider EU package, does not undermine Ireland’s longstanding military neutrality.
The EU announced on Sunday an unprecedented set of measures to support Ukrainians, confirming it will close its air space to Russian airlines, fund supplies of weapons to Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets in response to Russia’s invasion.
Ireland will “constructively abstain” from the planned delivery of arms to Ukraine.
“Our contribution to the non-lethal strand of that peace facility does not undermine our military neutrality,” Mr Martin told reporters in Dublin.
“We are not politically neutral, and have never been politically neutral in the sense that we uphold democratic values and democratic principles.”
