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Dublin deploys thousands of police for European leaders' summit

The security operation and city-centre protests form the local backdrop to talks over Ukraine and Europe's place in peace negotiations.

Channel: RTÉ News ·

IrelandStory of November 13, 2026Trari Newsroom

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50 leaders in Dublin for State's largest diplomatic event | RTÉ News

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1:44Zelenskyy warns that US-Russia discussions concern Europe's wider security framework, not only an end to the war.
3:14The report follows US envoys' Moscow meeting before their journey to Dublin.
8:04Around 5,000 Gardaí police the summit as demonstrations and security restrictions disrupt Dublin traffic.
14:15Martin answers questions about defence, sanctions and Ukrainian drone cooperation; his ceasefire-first position comes at 16:40.
20:00Martin discusses hybrid threats and the need to identify those responsible for hoax calls.
22:00Ó Beacháin explains the summit's personal diplomacy and European concerns about exclusion from security negotiations.

Police barricades, diverted traffic and visiting motorcades reshaped central Dublin as Ireland hosted what its public broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann's RTÉ News, describes as the largest diplomatic undertaking in the state's history.

Around 50 leaders attended the ninth European Political Community summit at the Convention Centre on Thursday. The broadcast follows both the diplomacy inside and the disruption outside, with about 5,000 Gardaí, members of Ireland's police service, involved in the security operation.

Reporter Samantha Libreri describes transport diversions and an investigated hoax device at Connolly Station. Near Leinster House, Ireland's parliament building, Colman O'Sullivan reports from police barricades holding back protesters. Pro-Palestine demonstrations added to the traffic disruption as the city prepared for leaders to travel to the National Gallery for a private dinner.

Inside the summit, the central concern was whether Europe would help shape a settlement affecting its own security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that discussions between Washington and Moscow reached beyond ending the war to a broader European security framework. French President Emmanuel Macron argued that Europeans must design their own security principles.

The report follows US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's Moscow meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before their journey to Dublin. Kushner describes stronger momentum for engagement with Europeans. In a separate follow-up, the broadcaster reports that Kushner and Zelenskyy said European representatives would take part in the next talks with Russia.

Interviewed later in the programme, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ireland's prime minister, states his government's starting point: "Our view is there has to be a ceasefire first." The interview also covers defence policy, sanctions on Russian resources and cooperation with Ukraine on drone technology.

Martin links substantial hybrid activity to Russia while stressing the need to identify who is responsible for particular incidents, including hoax threats. The Kremlin has denied involvement in the recent threats, according to the broadcaster's accompanying coverage.

Asked what hosting the gathering offers ordinary people in Ireland, Martin frames it as a defence of democratic freedoms. Political scientist Donncha Ó Beacháin offers the practical diplomatic explanation: the forum lets leaders build personal relationships while confronting challenges that extend across Europe's borders.