Zelenskyy asks Ireland for more non-lethal support against Russia

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Ireland for more non-lethal equipment to fight Russian forces.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met Mr Zelenskyy in Brussels at yesterday's EU summit and assured him that the Irish people are 100% behind Ukraine.

Mr Varadkar also ruled out placing a time limit on supports for Ukrainians for now, despite reports that the Government would consider tapering off financial payments.

The Taoiseach said he would not like his comments regarding migration — in which he said Ireland has to take a “fair, firm, and hard” approach — to be seen as a toughening of attitude.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ruled out placing a time limit on supports for Ukrainians for now, despite reports that the Government would consider tapering off financial payments. Picture: PA

However, he said if people arrive into Ireland with a story “that doesn’t stack up” then the State needs to be clear that their application will be refused and they will be sent back to their country of origin.

“And a lot of what we're discussing here in Brussels is about that. It's about the external response to migration," he said.

“So how can we strengthen the European Union's borders, particularly to the south and east, to reduce the number of people coming into Europe irregularly?”

He said when deportation orders are issued, they are not followed through unless the country of origin accepts that individual back.

“A lot of what we'll talk about today is how we can better engage with countries of origin so that they do take back their citizens if those citizens are refused international protection,” he said.

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speak ahead of a round-table meeting as part of yesterday's EU summit in Brussels. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP

Mr Varadkar met Mr Zelenskyy along with leaders from Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Belgium.

He said Mr Zelenskyy had a list of requests Ireland could provide to help Ukraine fight off Russian forces, including rations, oil, engineering equipment, medical kits, and body armour.

The Taoiseach said he believed that negotiations on EU accession for Ukraine could begin by the end of the year.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Zelenskyy indicated that several EU member states are ready to provide fighter jets to his country to help the fight against Russia's invasion of his country.

He said for his country to survive, he needed to return from the EU summit with assurances of additional military and financial funds.

He said he wants EU leaders to move from sending signals to concrete agreements and not to be afraid of Russia hearing “your powerful voice and concrete support".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European Council President Charles Michel shake hands following a press conference in Brussels yesterday. Picture: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP

Speaking alongside European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he said Ukraine is now at the most important stage of the war.

Ms von der Leyen said that the EU is supporting Ukraine to win this war and that Russia must pay for the destruction caused and “for the blood spilled".