European Leaders Arriving In Dublin Ahead Of EPC Meeting

It's the largest garda policing operation in the history of the state

The largest garda policing operation in the history of the state is underway as European leaders prepare to descend on the Convention Centre in Dublin.

The European Political Community meeting sees 50 world leaders from within and outside the EU gather to discuss international affairs - with the war in Ukraine and AI high on the agenda.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will attend along with the Canadian leader Mark Carney.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the summit before meeting US Special Envoys this evening in Dublin - after they've briefed the Russian leader Vladimir Putin on peace talks.

The EPC was set up in 2022 to bring together European leaders from inside and outside the EU.

Along with the 27 member states of the European Union - world leaders from the likes of Iceland, Armenia, Azerbaijan will attend - as will the leaders of the UK, Canada and Ukraine.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will host them all at the Convention Centre in Dublin - with planning for the event having started over two years ago.

On the agenda is Europe's economy, hybrid attacks, AI and the future of the war in Ukraine.

In particular there's expected to be debate over who should represent Europe in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

After the summit this evening Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Dublin, fresh off their meeting today with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

It was revealed last night Ireland is considering buying drones or drone technology from Ukraine to bolster our maritime defences.
World leaders gathered for the EPC will finish off the event with a gala dinner in the National Gallery.

A massive garda operation is underway - with 15,000 12 hour shifts being carried out by An Garda Siochana between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.