Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Dublin on Tuesday, marking the first official visit to Ireland by a sitting Ukrainian president. During this visit, he will meet with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and newly-inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly for a courtesy call. Zelensky is also expected to attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum, alongside Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee.
The visit comes amidst ongoing tensions due to the war in Ukraine, which has led to significant displacement. Since February 2022, over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have applied for asylum in Ireland, with an estimated 80,000 still residing in the country. The Irish government views Zelensky’s visit as a way to reinforce the close ties and mutual support between Ireland and Ukraine.
In statements regarding the visit, Taoiseach Martin highlighted the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the ongoing military conflict resulting from Russia’s actions. Martin expressed a desire to discuss how Ireland can further support Ukraine, particularly in efforts to negotiate peace.
Zelensky’s past interactions with Irish leaders include a brief meeting in February during a stop at Shannon Airport while on his way to the U.S. to meet former President Donald Trump, as well as a visit by Martin to Kyiv in July 2022. The upcoming meeting is seen as an opportunity to explore further partnership between the nations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg989gnen5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss