Zelenskyy urges Ireland to ‘use your voice’ in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Zelenskyy used his Oireachtas address to press Ireland for continued support, warning that Ukraine still faces an existential fight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the Oireachtas and Ireland to "use your voice" in opposition to the Russian invasion of his country.

“We do not feel your voice, the voice of Ireland, is turning quieter,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

“Thank you for not losing faith in us, just as we do not lose faith that the day will come when we will welcome all our friends to Ukraine in peace and when we will welcome home all our people who were forced to flee, back to a peaceful Ukraine. We are working to make it real.

“A peace without humiliation and based on something truly real, on shared values. Those values are not business as usual, not appeasement of killers, not turning a blind eye to what has happened.

“This has gone on far too long to simply close our eyes and turn the page on Russia without the just peace. We need real peace. Help us achieve it and never lose your faith in Ukraine.” 

Mr Zelenskyy's speech touched on both the Irish and Ukrainian histories as colonised nations. He said the two are "among the few in Europe who spent centuries fighting for the right to remain themselves".

Mrs Martin and First Lady Olena Zelenska (right) in the Dáil chamber as they wait for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA Wire

The Ukrainian president said it was a "great honour for me to stand here today in a country that understands the price of freedom".

Mr Zelenskyy was introduced by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, who said Ireland "is not – and will never be – morally neutral in the face of atrocity".

"The Irish, who themselves have lived the trauma of immigration and war, have opened their hearts and homes to thousands of Ukrainians who now live and work among us. Your people enrich our communities and share their culture, even though their hearts remain with Ukraine.

"Ireland’s journey to peace was long and hard, but it succeeded because people persevered in the belief that peace is the only solution. That same possibility exists for Ukraine.

"President Zelenskyy, we hope for – and look forward to – the day when Ukraine can celebrate peace. We stand with the Ukrainian people – in solidarity, in friendship, and in hope. May your courage and the strength of your people lead to a just and lasting peace."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his address to a joint sitting in the Dail chamber on Tuesday afternoon during his visit to Ireland. Picture: Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA Wire

People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett defended his party’s decision not to applaud before and after Mr Zelenskyy’s speech, saying that People Before Profit did not believe the war could be solved through military means.

“We disagree that there was ever a military solution to this,” Mr Boyd Barrett said.

“We think when you look at where things are at now, I think if anything that view has been vindicated, because hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost but absolutely no military advance for the people of Ukraine.” 

Mr Boyd Barrett added that the party rejected the use of the war by the EU and NATO to promote further militarisation.

He said he hopes there will be a ceasefire, but expressed concern that the EU or Mr Zelenskyy would put conditions on a ceasefire.

“Obviously Putin is a warmonger as well so it’s difficult to know what any of these people are, what their actual negotiation position is.”

Earlier, during a joint press conference in Government Buildings, Taoiseach Micheál Martin vowed that Ireland would support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a press conference outside Government Buildings as he visits Ireland. Picture: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

In his opening remarks, Mr Zelenskyy thanked the Irish people and the Government for their support since the outbreak of the war.

“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.” 

First Lady Olena Zelenska and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on a courtesy call with Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin as they make their way down the Francini Corridor to sign the Visitors Book. Picture: Tony Maxwell

The 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 cutting the Accommodation Recognition Payment.

When asked if he was worried Irish support for Ukraine was waning, Mr Zelenskyy told the Irish Examiner 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.

“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."