Zelensky Meets Taoiseach in Dublin to Discuss Drone Co-Production and Peace Talks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is eyeing a potential diplomatic breakthrough before 2027 as he meets with European leaders and US envoys in Dublin this week.

The visit comes at a high-stakes moment for continental security, with Zelensky scheduled to meet US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Thursday. According to The Journal, the pair will arrive in Ireland after concluding talks with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi.

The diplomatic movement follows trilateral peace talks in the UAE, where various proposals were put on the table. Zelensky told reporters that the discussions in Abu Dhabi included potential security guarantees and a possible exchange of 1,000 to 1,200 prisoners of war, RTÉ reported.

“That would be a very positive thing, and I don’t see any reasons for Russia to not accept that proposal,” Zelensky said, according to RTÉ.

Ireland and Ukraine explore drone manufacturing for maritime security

Beyond the high-level peace negotiations, a new industrial partnership is forming between Ireland and Ukraine. The two nations are exploring a memorandum of understanding regarding the manufacture of unmanned drones.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that the Department of Defence is looking into a joint agreement with Ukraine, leveraging Kyiv’s significant expertise in drone technology. The Irish Times reported that the Irish government is specifically interested in how these unmanned systems could be applied to maritime security.

Zelensky expressed his readiness for this industrial collaboration, stating he expects the deal to become operational.

This technological exchange arrives as Ukraine continues to face intense pressure on its infrastructure. During his bilateral meeting with Martin at Government Buildings, Zelensky briefed the Taoiseach on the difficulties in restoring essential services damaged by Russian aggression.

The push for a European peace

A central theme of the Dublin meetings is the necessity of a European role in any final settlement. Zelensky has been vocal about the idea that ending the conflict without the active participation of Europe would be fundamentally flawed.

Martin and Zelensky are on stage. Zelensky's hand is up. Martin is wearing a navy suit. The Irish tricolour — Photo: BBC

“This war is in Ukraine, and ending this war without Europe’s participation would be unjust, and it would be impossible,” Zelensky said, according to RTÉ.

The Taoiseach echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Martin also said that Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union, noting that Ireland has placed Ukraine at the heart of its EU presidency programme. The Irish Times reported that Martin pledged to work toward opening the two remaining negotiating clusters for Ukraine’s accession before his presidency concludes.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday — Photo: The Irish Times

“They may be tired of war, but they remain standing tall and unbroken despite all that they have faced. They deserve our support. They deserve our help to keep their economy and society going. Most of all, they deserve a just and lasting peace,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

While the diplomatic window appears to be opening, significant hurdles remain. Zelensky has said that it is “impossible” for Ukraine to consider abandoning the Donbas region as part of any settlement, The Irish Times reported.

The logistical scale of the diplomatic summit has also transformed the Irish capital. The Irish Independent reported that the security operation is among the largest in the history of the State, with Gardaí expected to perform more than 15,000 12-hour tours of duty between Tuesday and Friday. Significant traffic disruptions and road closures have been implemented across Dublin, including restrictions around the National Gallery and the Samuel Beckett Bridge.

As the US envoys prepare to fly to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin before returning to Dublin, the international community is waiting to see if the discussions in Abu Dhabi will yield the “specifics” Zelensky is demanding. The primary question remains whether the current “window of opportunity” can lead to a concrete framework for peace before the 2027 deadline.