“I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak to President Zelenskyy today and to reaffirm to him personally Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine and its people. Ireland’s support is as strong today as it was when Russia invaded.

“I expressed my view that recent attacks by Russia are a clear demonstration that President Putin is not interested in peace, despite the efforts of the international community to advance negotiations. The deliberate targeting of civilians, as we have seen in Kyiv, is a war crime and I extended my deep condolences to President Zelenskyy for the devastating loss of life, especially of children.

“Our call today was also an opportunity to review the most recent developments aimed at securing a ceasefire and achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, including the engagement with the US and the work of the Coalition of the Willing. I assured President Zelenskyy that Ireland stands ready to support this work, including through the provision of non-lethal military assistance and our openness to taking part in any appropriately mandated peacekeeping mission in line with the UN Charter. We will also continue to work with partners to support Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.

“The President and I agreed the importance of maintaining and increasing pressure on Putin, including through the use of further EU sanctions against Russia.

“I also said that I looked forward to engaging with President Zelenskyy and partners at the UN High-Level Week in New York later this month, and we both hoped that it would be used as an opportunity to make progress towards just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.”