Ireland will consider sending peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a deal to end the war, the Taoiseach has said.

EU leaders met online this afternoon to discuss the ceasefire talks which began this week between the US and Russia.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended this meeting today, as Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been exchanging insults.

When it comes to the future of Ukraine, the Taoiseach raised the prospect of an accelerated process for Ukraine to become a member of the EU.

They also agreed that in the event of a ceasefire, it needs to be secure, there needs to be an international mandate based on UN principles, which may well involve monitored peacekeeping in the same way that there is in Lebanon.

The Taoiseach has said for the first time that Ireland will consider sending peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of that mission, should a ceasefire come into force.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Micheál Martin during their joint press conference. July 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko)