Ireland’s support rooted in shared history, Zelenskyy says during Dublin visit
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking to the media at Government Buildings. Picture: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ireland “understands, historically,” what Ukraine is “going through,” as he acknowledged that it has “not been easy” to help those fleeing war.
During a joint press conference in Government Buildings, Taoiseach Micheál Martin vowed that Ireland would support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
The Government announced €100m in non-lethal aid for Ukraine to coincide with the visit, which marks the first official visit by a Ukrainian president to Ireland.
The additional funding brings to €200m the total non-lethal military aid given to Ukraine this year.
The funding is part of a new Ireland-Ukraine partnership to be signed by Mr Zelenskyy and Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday, which builds on an agreement signed in Kyiv last year.
The 2030 Roadmap on Ukraine-Ireland Partnership sets out Ireland’s immediate commitments to Ukraine, including €25m to support the restoration and protection of Ukrainian energy infrastructure and a scheme to support training and other efforts as part of Ukraine’s path to EU accession.
Mr Zelenskyy is in Ireland as peace talks with the US intensify in a bid to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He met Mr Martin in Government Buildings for a bilateral meeting ahead of his address to the joint Houses of the Oireachtas on Tuesday afternoon.
In his opening remarks, Mr Zelenskyy thanked the Irish people and the Government for their support since the war began.
“I would like to express my special gratitude to the government of Ireland, to all the communities of Ireland, to every Irish home that has sheltered our people here,” he said.
“It is not easy. After all, there has been almost four years of full-scale war, of challenges of these dimensions.
“But we're doing everything we can to ensure that our people can return home safely to a country of peace. We're working towards this goal, and I believe that we can achieve it.
“I thank you for your respect for our people, for your respect for Ukraine and for the fact that Ireland stands with us, not simply for political reasons, but because Ireland sincerely defends the rights of peoples to life freedom and independence.”
The Irish Government recently announced that it would reduce the number of days a Ukrainian refugee can stay in State accommodation from 90 to 30, as well as introduce cuts to the Accommodation Recognition Payment.
When asked if he was worried Irish support for Ukraine was waning, Mr Zelenskyy told the that he was grateful for all support.
“Ireland, from the very beginning of the war, chose this side, in my opinion, an honest side, not because I'm the president of Ukraine, but because that's the right thing,” he said.
“It's based. Ireland chose the side of supporting Ukraine and helping Ukrainians. Ireland has been helping Ukrainians who stayed behind in Ukraine and has been helping Ukrainians who have moved to Ireland. We're grateful for that.
“The way I was brought up is that I can't criticise help, whether it's getting more or less. We should be grateful.
“I do believe very much that you've been doing this, it’s not just to help us simply, but you've been doing this because you understand what we were going through.
“You understand it historically speaking and based on values. Therefore, we are grateful for your choice.
“The question is not about the size of assistance; It's about the choice.”
Mr Zelenskyy said Europe and America are attempting to bring an end to the war, but there must be guarantees to ensure Russia does not return with a third invasion in 10 years.
“What will happen tomorrow when our soldiers go back home, finally go back home?” he said.
“Unfortunately, many of them won't come back home alive anymore. When they go back home, become engineers, teachers, various professions, and they'll come back, but Russia will continue building up their army and defences, preparing for the next invasion.
“Who can tolerate and endure that? Our people are strong, but with all due respect, that's why we want a certainty.
“We're grateful to United States for the fact that they are prepared to be a guarantor of this security. But we want guarantees.”
Mr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to meet US president Donald Trump as he called for “real results” while negotiations continue.
The Taoiseach said Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown a “complete indifference to the value of human life and to international laws and norms” and has continued to do so “even as efforts to bring the war to an end advance.”
“It is shocking that the people of Ukraine are subject to nightly onslaughts of Russian missiles and drones,” he said.
“The people of Ukraine deserve to be safe in their own homes. Their children deserve to sleep safely in their own beds.
“Ireland will continue to support the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Mr Martin vowed to be “proactive” in securing Ukraine’s membership of the European Union and said the Government would “continue to engage with the Ukrainian community in Ireland”, noting that while many are here as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, Ireland will “have to work” with them.
The Taoiseach said Ireland will continue to support Ukrainians here and, in the event of a ceasefire, “Ireland is certainly open to contributing to peacekeeping and to peace monitoring in Ukraine”, as well as working on reconstruction.
Earlier, Mr Zelenskyy visited Áras an Uachtaráin, where he met President Catherine Connolly.
He signed the visitors' book at the Áras, saying it "is a great honour to visit Ireland" alongside his wife, Olena Zelenska, and to have been greeted by President Connolly.
"On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland's steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression," Mr Zelenskyy said.
"We greatly appreciate Ireland's generosity in providing temporary shelter to displaced Ukrainians.
"Ukraine values its friendship with Ireland and is committed to deepening our cooperation in pursuit of a just and lasting peace."
Questions on whether or not Ukraine should receive the military aid it has requested were put to the two presidents, but they did not respond before being ushered to an adjoining room.
However, Mr Zelenskyy appeared to indicate he would answer questions at a later press conference.
A statement from President Connolly's office said she and Mr Zelenskyy discussed the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the role that Ireland could play as a neutral country in securing "a fair, just and enduring peace".
"They also discussed the contribution of the Ukrainian community in Ireland and the significant similarities in the histories of both countries. President Connolly was also interested to discuss the question of the enforced transfer of children from Ukraine and food security."
Oireachtas webcasting is provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service, in association with HEAnet, Ireland's National Educational and Research Network.
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