Ireland set to take presidency of EU in Dublin opening ceremony – Europe live

Morning opening: Ireland takes presidency of the EU Ireland is set to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union today at a ceremony at Dublin Castle attended by some of the EU’s top figures – and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy . Security at the entrance to Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland. Photograph: Bryan Meade/EPA An opening ceremony will take place 2pm local time, followed by a press conference. I will bring you all the key lines here. It has been 13 years since its last chaired the works of the bloc, and the to do list is only longer this time round. EU member states will be looking at Ireland to help navigate political talks on new sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine, as well as tricky accession talks with Moldova, Ukraine and other candidates. But critics also ask some tough questions on Ireland’s credibility to lead the bloc’s work on digital given so many of US Big Tech companies – so fiercely defended by Donald Trump - are headquartered in the country. Elsewhere, Nato’s Mark Rutte will be in Berlin today, as he tours EU capitals ahead of next week’s Nato summit in Ankara. I will bring you all the latest. It’s Wednesday, 1 July 2026 , it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live . Good morning. Key events Ukraine could join EU during war with Russia, but it will be 'merit-based' process, Irish PM says Ireland’s prime minister Micheál Martin suggested Ukraine could join the EU even during the war with Russia. …