Militaristic Rhetoric Accelerates After Zelenskyy Visit

Adam Fagan

The recent visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ireland gave the political establishment of the 26-county state an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to supporting one side of the ongoing inter-imperialist conflict. The alignment between the government and the Euro-Atlantic imperialist alliance has been strengthening in the context of initiatives like “re-arm Europe” which seek to expand military spending and prepare for a large-scale conflict with Russia and China. 

Since Zelenskyy’s visit, there have been numerous reports from bourgeois media about the increased “threat” of Russian attacks on Irish infrastructure, and there have been further commitments made to removing the Triple-lock mechanism, which prevents large-scale deployments of Irish troops abroad. Minister of Defence, Helen McEntee, described the removal of the legislation as a matter of “taking back sovereignty”. This argument, commonly used by the capitalist class around the world, presents the membership of imperialist alliances, such as NATO, or involvement in imperialist war as a common pursuit in the national interest, which should be embraced by all the people of the nation, regardless of class. It fails to recognise that the working people do not forget the brutal wars waged by NATO and its allies, and the ensuing devastation. No form of national chauvinism can trick the people into joining their imperialist wars.

As we enter 2026, communists must recognise the increasing threat of militarism in Ireland and act accordingly to mobilise the working class and its allies against these developments. The struggle must take a clear anti-monopoly direction and recognise that the working class has no common aims or goals with the bourgeoisie, whether it be “national” or otherwise. In the same vein, the trade union movement must be willing to respond to the ongoing acceleration of armament, recognising that the increase in military spending coincides directly with a reduction in the living standards of the people. We have noted previously the billions in funding from the British state which have been directed towards arms companies like Thales, while at the same time the NHS services receive cuts. The social democratic leadership of the trade union movement is unable to deliver a clear and coherent opposition to these developments. 

The struggle against imperialism and imperialist war will be won through socialist revolution. Only when the exploitative capitalist system is overthrown can the international working class live in harmony based on the principles of socialist planning and cooperation. We say:

Capitalism means War, Socialism means Peace!

Fight Capitalists, not their Wars!