Micheál Martin visits Kyiv to discuss Ukraine, EU accession and Irish support

The Taoiseach will also visit civilian areas of Kyiv damaged by Russia’s recent attacks and meet international organisations and charities assisting those affected by the attacks with Irish funding.

He will also meet members of the Irish community in Kyiv.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Martin said he made the trip early in Ireland’s term of the EU Presidency “to underline the EU’s and Ireland’s continuing solidarity with the Ukrainian Government and the people of Ukraine”.

“Having endured more than four years of brutal aggression against its people and territory, Ukraine continues to demonstrate tremendous resilience and courage in the face of relentless Russian attacks, which have intensified on Kyiv and other parts of the country in recent weeks,” the Taoiseach said.

“I strongly condemn these actions, which have led to significant loss of life and risk further humanitarian crises, and call on Russia to end its war.

“Support for Ukraine is a central priority of the Irish Presidency of the EU. This visit is an opportunity to hear directly from President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Koretskyi about the situation on the ground and the needs of the Ukrainian Government as it faces into a fifth year of defending its country against Russian aggression.”

The Taoiseach will also meet Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, who took office last week. It is the first time the 48-year-old has held political office, having previously served as chief executive of Naftogaz, Ukraine's state oil and gas company.

Visit follows Aughinish report calls 

Mr Martin’s visit comes three weeks after Mr Zelenskyy called for a report into Aughinish Alumina to be completed quickly during his visit to Dublin for the opening of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

The Department of Enterprise conducted a review into the Limerick plant’s operations after The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project published an investigation examining Aughinish’s alleged role in supporting Russia’s military industry.

The Taoiseach’s visit also comes as strikes continue in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities following Mr Zelenskyy’s decision last week to fire the popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

Protesters called for Fedorov to be reinstated and for the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, to be removed.

Despite this, Mr Zelenskyy confirmed in a late-night television address on Tuesday that he was replacing Mr Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi, a Fedorov ally.

However, protests are expected to continue in Kyiv later this week.