Dublin Hosts European Political Community Summit as Ireland Pushes Ukraine's EU Bid

Leaders from more than 40 European countries gathered in Dublin on November 12 for the ninth summit of the European Political Community (EPC), according to the Associated Press. For Kyiv, the meeting carries weight on two fronts: the host, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, is openly championing Ukraine's path into the European Union, and on the sidelines Volodymyr Zelensky is waiting to be briefed by US envoys fresh from talks in Moscow.

Ireland sets an ambitious accession goal

On the eve of the summit, Martin and Zelensky held a joint press conference in Dublin. "It is my strong belief that Ukraine's future is within the European Union," Martin said, as quoted by The Kyiv Independent. He added that Ukraine sits at the heart of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU, which runs until December 31.

Martin said three negotiating clusters had been opened for Ukraine and that opening the remaining ones before the presidency ends would take "persuasion", with Dublin hoping to draw on the goodwill member states feel towards Kyiv. Zelensky was more direct: "We are set to open all negotiation clusters this year."

The two leaders also discussed:

• a joint memorandum on drone technology, focused mainly on maritime security, which Martin said the two defence ministries are still working on;
• Zelensky's offer of co-production, with the Ukrainian president telling reporters, according to TheJournal.ie, that Ukraine was "ready to help";
• Russia's strikes on Ukraine, which Martin described as "barbarous" and "vile".

The largest gathering of leaders Ireland has hosted

The Irish government called the summit the biggest gathering of international leaders in the country's history, the AP reported, backed by the largest security operation in the 100-year history of the national police. Those attending included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Shortly before the meeting, airlines and media outlets, among them Ryanair and the broadcaster RTÉ, received hoax bomb threats; no one has been formally blamed.

The EPC was launched in 2022 by French President Emmanuel Macron and then German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It brings together EU members and non-EU European states, excluding Russia and Belarus, meets twice a year and makes no binding decisions. This time the agenda centres on support for Ukraine and on Russian hybrid attacks against critical infrastructure. The next meeting is scheduled for April in Zurich.

A European seat at the table

The summit comes straight after three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, which produced a prisoner exchange deal but no breakthrough. Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due in Dublin after meeting Vladimir Putin to debrief Zelensky. Martin said Ireland would not take part in that meeting but would provide logistical support.

Zelensky argued that ending the war without Europe would be unfair. Martin said he hoped this week's meetings would bring "clarity" on who will represent Europe in the negotiations, and, according to The Irish Times, urged the EU to "speak with one voice".

Why it matters

Opening every negotiating cluster by the end of the year would be a visible milestone for Ukraine, although it would not by itself mean rapid membership, and any step still needs the backing of all 27 member states. Ireland is effectively acting as Kyiv's advocate inside the Council. At the same time, Dublin has become a stage on which Europe is trying to secure its place in a peace process so far driven largely by Washington, Moscow and Kyiv. EU leaders are also due to hold an informal meeting in Dublin on November 13.