UKRAINE DID NOT accept an Irish donation of armoured combat vehicles because they were too old and would cost too much to upgrade, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. 

Zelenskyy said that while he was grateful for the offer, the money that would be needed to upgrade the vehicles would be better used on drone capabilities as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia.

Zelenskyy made the remarks this afternoon during a press conference in Dublin Castle, where he is attending the opening of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

Earlier today, the Irish Times reported that the Irish Government recently offered Ukraine all of the Defence Forces’ 27 light tactical armoured vehicles, but that the offer was rejected.

Martin (left) and Zelenskyy (right) at today's press conference. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

According to the Irish Times, the vehicles were first acquired 17 years ago but were rarely used and frequently broke down. They were eventually withdrawn from operations in 2024 and put into storage.

Speaking alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Zelenskyy said: “We are thankful, by the way, for everything. We never say no during the war.”

He explained that Ukraine has a funding deficit as a result of its war and that the military is trying to push all of its money into missiles or drone missiles. 

“When [our soldiers] said: ‘Look, with all respect, we need it, but if we can use this money for drones, we will use it for drones.’

“It’s only because of this,” Zelenskyy said. 

Confirming the rejection, a spokesperson for the Irish Department of Defence said: “The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude to Ireland for the offer, as well as for Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine.

“However, it ultimately declined the offer on the basis that this type of vehicle is not currently in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and would therefore require separate training, maintenance and spare parts support.”

Earlier today, Minister for Defence Helen McEntee denied that it was humiliating for Ireland that Ukraine turned down the offer. 

“I think this has been blown out of proportion,” she told Newstalk Breakfast, putting the rejection down to the additional training that would be needed to use the vehicles. 

In response to a parliamentary question in February, McEntee said the fleet of 27 vehicles, the RG32M, had been in service since 2010.

“These vehicles are now approaching end of life, are being withdrawn from active service and are due for replacement. As the vehicles are currently being withdrawn from service, no decision has yet been made with regard to the manner in which these vehicles will be disposed,” she said at the time.

Meanwhile, speaking at this afternoon’s press conference, Taoiseach Micheál Martin maintained that despite the offer of military vehicles, Ireland’s aid to Ukraine “remains non-lethal”.

Asked by a reporter if the donation was “overstepping the line of neutrality”, the Taoiseach said: 

“All of our aid so far has been non-lethal that’s from Ireland, but we’re now talking context of the EU presidency, and Europe will do everything it possibly can, and that’s the context in which I am now speaking on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union.

“Ireland’s aid remains non-lethal and humanitarian as well, and also through Denmark and Lithuania we have a joint procurement in respect of a range of equipment, mining and defensive equipment that has been sent to Ukraine and paid for through Irish funds, so that’s the context, it’s very straightforward in that sense.”

Speaking to Zelenskyy, the Taoiseach said: “We will work to ensure you continue to receive the political, financial and military support Ukraine needs to resist Russia’s aggression”.

With reporting from Press Association.