Louise Burne: Taoiseach pays tribute to 'ordinary Ukrainians with extraordinary resolve' in Kyiv

During his Kyiv visit, Micheál Martin didn't have to look far to find those who, he said, 'continue to endure, to resist, and to fight to defend your homes and your freedom'

In Kyiv, Taoiseach Micheal Martin met Liudmyla Vladyna and other residents whose homes had been destroyed during recent Russian bombings. Liudmyla said: 'It was the worst night in my life, the scariest.' Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Despite Lukianivskyi market in the heart of Kyiv being bombed on Sunday, the workers on the stalls are continuing to trade.

Russia’s ballistic missiles destroyed where the fruit and veg stalls are usually set up, so the traders simply moved slightly and were open for business the next day. It was not the first time the area has been hit, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told, as he visited a residential area a short walk away on Dehtiarivska St.

Yet, the trading continues, and the inhabitants of Kyiv attempt to keep trucking on as best they can under the most horrific of circumstances.

It is a perfect example of Ukraine’s resilience.

As Taoiseach Micheál Martin reminded Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference in Kyiv, the theme for Ireland’s EU presidency is “ní neart go cur le chéile” — “strength with unity”.

“Nowhere is this more evident than in our commitment to Ukraine,” he said. “Ordinary Ukrainians with extraordinary resolve continue to endure, to resist, and to fight to defend your homes and your freedom. Strength through unity.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a solemn moment at the wall of remembrance near St Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv yesterday. The memorial honours those who have died while defending Ukraine from Russia’s attacks. Pictures: Government Information Service

At Dehtiarivska St, Mr Martin met Oleh and Liudmyla, whose homes had been destroyed during recent bombings.

“It was the worst night in my life, the scariest,” Liudmyla said. “2am. Two loud explosions, windows were blowing out, balconies fell away. We hid in the restroom. We survived.

“In the morning, it was horrible. My pressure skyrocketed, my heart was pumping like crazy.”

In the ruins of the building, a couch sat on a balcony, hanging on by a thread. Vacuum cleaners, dried flowers, lunch boxes, and wooden furniture that had been blown to smithereens lay in the rubble.

Marcel Grogan, UNHCR Ukraine deputy representative, explained to the Taoiseach that in the first six months of this year, Russia fired 520 ballistic missiles into Ukraine.

UNHCR Ukraine deputy representative Marcel Grogan showing Taoiseach Micheál Martin around the bomb-damaged Lukianivska district of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Mr Grogan explained that while there is a view that the frontline is “quite static”, the number of attacks on civilians and civilian deaths is rising.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Martin arrived in Mariinskyi Palace, the official presidential residence, to meet Mr Zelenskyy.

They exchanged gifts, with Mr Zelenskyy giving the Taoiseach a Ukrainian soccer jersey, with “Martin 1”.

Mr Martin presented him with a Cormac Begley album, following the musician’s performance at the EU presidency opening ceremony, a framed photo of Mr Zelenskyy addressing the Dáil last year, and a bottle of whiskey.

 

It was the second time the two men had met in the space of three weeks and, once again, Aughinish Alumina dominated the agenda.

During a speech at Dublin Castle earlier this month, the Ukrainian president called for sanctions on companies which “keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials”.

While he did not name Aughinish Alumina, in a subsequent press conference, he confirmed that he had been referring to the Co Limerick operation, urging Ireland to complete its investigation promptly.

Mr Martin came to Kyiv with the results of that report under his elbow.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kyiv, Ukraine. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

The conclusions, however, were thoroughly inconclusive, and it cannot be determined whether alumina produced in Ireland is being used in Russia’s war.

While a 22nd package of EU sanctions will be discussed in September, Mr Zelenskyy once again encouraged the inclusion of alumina, suggesting this could even be done through domestic legislation.

That will be an expectation Mr Martin will have to manage as Ireland chairs the EU presidency for the next six months.

One battle, which the Taoiseach appears more willing to take on, is the question of EU accession for Ukraine.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) shows Taoiseach Micheál Martin around the building including the sandbags placed at the windows.  Picture: Niall Carson/PA

As he joined Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of the parliament, in the Verkhovna Rada, Mr Martin said it was an “honour” to be in the parliament building. The Taoiseach said: 

This is the seat of democracy. This is what you are all fighting for. This is what you are defending.

In recent weeks, the way Russia conducts its war has changed, with increased ballistic missile attacks.

It is clear one thing in Kyiv will not change: The resilience of its people, who somehow keep going.

As the bombs continue to rain down, as the traders at the Lukianivskyi market, Oleh and Liudmyla, so clearly show, Ukraine is not giving up.

And Ireland insists it will not be either.

• Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, in Kyiv