The idea of training Ukrainians in mine clearance was floated at the end of last year, the government has just made it official. Ireland has taken part in peacekeeping missions before, but never in an active conflict between two countries. And that does not please the opposition, which fears for the status of neutrality of the country.
With our correspondent in Dublin, Laura Taouchanov
After months of sending medical or humanitarian aid, but refusing any military support, the Irish government changed its mind. Thirty soldiers will train Ukrainians in mine clearance in particular. It is a competence of the Irish army which has already carried out several missions of this kind, in Mali for example.
The objective is therefore to strengthen Ukraine’s military capacity to enable them to better defend their territory and protect the civilian population.
Military neutrality
There have already been a hundred such operations in Europe, the difference is that Ireland has a status of military neutrality. The island did not take part directly in the Second World War and never joined NATO. It will therefore be the first time in history that it has contributed to the training of a force engaged in a war against another country.
This decision is controversial in the ranks of the opposition, particularly Sinn Fein for whom neutrality is not just a historical position, it is what the population wants today. The Russian ambassador also said that with this decision, Ireland will be directly involved in this conflict.