Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said the war “breaks my heart, the hearts of all Ukrainians and every free person on the planet”

Taoiseach plays down suggestions Zelensky criticised Irish support for Ukraine

by · The Irish News

The Ukrainian president has offered only qualified thanks to the Republic for its support for the country since the Russian invasion a month ago.

Addressing the European Council, Volodymyr Zelensky namechecked EU member states – noting in turn what he saw as the level of support the country had given Ukraine.

“Ireland, well, almost,” Mr Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader offered no further reasons for his comment.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking on the second day of the European Council meeting in Brussels, played down the comments.

He suggested he does believe the Republic was being criticised by the Ukrainian leader.

The Republic, while fully backing the Ukrainian push for EU membership, has not abandoned its position of military neutrality in the face of the Russian assault.

Mr Martin has stressed the country is not politically neutral and has committed millions of euros in non-lethal aid to Ukraine.

The Republic has also taken in more than 10,000 Ukrainian refugees, with thousands more expected to arrive after the Dublin government removed any requirement for visas.

Mr Martin insisted Mr Zelensky “was actually talking in terms of the European perspective”.

He said: “I wouldn’t have taken the same slant as some may be taking from it.

“I can’t surmise in terms of what implication there is except I spoke to him last week and he was very strongly in praise of the Irish contribution, both from a humanitarian perspective, in terms of our clear support for Ukraine’s application to join the EU, and he thanked me personally for my own personal commitment to that.

“I am not going to surmise in terms of whatever particular take you would take from the use ‘almost’ or ‘practically’.”

He said people should not read too much into the comments.

“We are a militarily-neutral country, but again we facilitated the EU Peace Facility, which has been of enormous support to the Ukrainian people.

“I wouldn’t overstate it, quite frankly.”

Speaking to European leaders, Mr Zelensky said he was grateful for the sanctions imposed so far.

But he told them: “These are powerful steps. But it was a little late.

“Because if it had been preventative, Russia would not have gone to war. At least, no-one knows for sure. There was a chance.”

He asked European leaders not to delay accepting his country’s bid to join the EU.

“Do not be late. Please.”

Pointing to the events of the last month, he said: “You saw that Ukraine should be in the EU in the near future.”

EU leaders have so far resisted the call to accelerate the accession of Ukraine to the bloc.

Mr Zelensky has accepted an invitation to address the Oireachtas on April 6, where he will speak directly to Irish politicians.

:: The Irish News has partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – which brings together charities including Concern Worldwide, the Red Cross and Save The Children – to raise money for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/inews, or TEXT AID to 70150 to donate £10 plus your standard network charge.