Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meeting President Zelenskyy in Ukraine
- Published on: 19 July 2023
- Last updated on: 16 August 2023
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in Ukraine today to meet with President Zelenskyy, pledge solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and to bear witness to the effects of Russia’s invasion at first hand.
This morning the Taoiseach visited towns and villages around Kyiv to meet with communities and hear first-hand the accounts of the death and destruction wrought by Russian forces.
He is meeting with President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Shmyhal and Parliamentary Speaker Stefanchuk to discuss the current situation, and how Ireland can continue to help Ukraine practically and politically.
The Taoiseach is also announcing an additional €5 million in humanitarian funding to help with the ongoing emergency response and the attack on the Kakhovka dam.
This afternoon he laid wreaths in memory of the children killed in the conflict, in memory of those killed in the Euromaidan protests of 2014, and in the Russian invasion that followed.
While in Kyiv, he will visit the Lesya Ukrainka Theatre and meet with cast members of the production of Brian Friel’s Translations, who recently performed the work in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He will also meet with Irish people and businesses working in Ukraine.
Speaking from Kyiv the Taoiseach said:
“This morning I came face to face with the horror inflicted by Russia’s forces on the people of Ukraine. I gave a commitment to President Zelenskyy, and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical as well as our political backing. We are giving a further €5 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine - €3 million to be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross for its vital work, and €2 million to the UN fund.
“I am here to express Ireland’s solidarity with the government and the people of Ukraine as they endure more than 500 days of Russian attacks. Ireland’s commitment to Ukraine means that we will support them on their pathway to EU membership. We will work with international partners to ensure that those responsible for this crime of aggression are held accountable, and we will work with Ukraine to restore essential civilian infrastructure to meet their needs today and in the future when they have prevailed.
“I am meeting President Zelensky just one day after the EU-CELAC summit where there was strong support for Ukrainian independence, democracy and territorial integrity. This is the 21st century, national borders cannot be changed through violence, and democratically elected governments should not be overthrown by foreign invasion. We have to draw a line in the sand here and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Notes
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced €5 million in humanitarian aid in Kyiv today. €2 million will be allocated to the United Nations Humanitarian Fund, and €3 million to be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross.