Reports on #Ukraine peace talks ‘positive’ – Irish foreign minister

The reactions of participants in the negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are “extremely positive”, the Irish foreign minister said.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they were making progress toward ending the Russo-Ukrainian war but provided few details when they met in Switzerland to discuss the U.S. proposal to achieve peace.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the high-stakes negotiations in Geneva were “very useful.”

Asked about the discussions as she arrived at a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on Monday, Helen McEntee welcomed the discussions.

“I think the reports from all sides have been extremely positive,” said the Irish foreign minister.

“I think it’s really good that we’ve had these discussions.

“It’s very clear, there’s obviously additional work to be done.”

“I think some very positive discussions have certainly taken place, and we hope that continues today and throughout the week.

“We will have our own CVE meeting of EU foreign ministers on Wednesday morning and we will obviously look forward to discussing this further with our colleagues at that time.”

McEntee and other EU trade ministers are due to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Monday to discuss tariffs.

Ms McEntee said there was “room to make further progress” and said Ireland would push for a reduction in tariffs in areas to protect its pharmaceutical, whiskey and food industries.

She said “many other areas” would be addressed.

“That’s what I hope we can make progress on at today’s lunch,” she said.

“Ireland will work hard and advocate, as I will today, to make sure that medical technology is fully part of this, to make sure that our whiskey industry and our food industry are also part of it.”