Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Kyiv today (Thursday, 23 July) for a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

They will discuss Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and European Union support for Ukraine under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, including Ukraine's accession negotiations. They will also discuss bilateral cooperation and Ireland's support for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach will also meet with Ukraine's newly appointed Prime Minister, Serhii Koretskyi.

The Taoiseach will visit the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and meet with its speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, to exchange views on Ukraine's EU accession negotiations and the associated agenda for domestic reforms.

The Taoiseach will also visit civilian areas in Kyiv damaged by Russia's recent indiscriminate attacks, meet with international organisations and charities providing assistance to those impacted by the attacks and which are supported by Irish funding. He will also meet with members of the Irish community in Kyiv.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said:

"My visit to Kyiv early in the term of Ireland's Presidency of the EU is important to underline the EU's and Ireland's continuing solidarity with the Ukrainian Government and the people of Ukraine.

"Having endured more than four years of brutal aggression against its people and territory, Ukraine continues to demonstrate tremendous resilience and courage in the face of relentless Russian attacks, which have intensified on Kyiv and other parts of the country in recent weeks. I strongly condemn these actions, which have led to significant loss of life and risk further humanitarian crises, and call on Russia to end its war.

"Support for Ukraine is a central priority of the Irish Presidency of the EU. This visit is an opportunity to hear directly from President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Koretskyi about the situation on the ground and the needs of the Ukrainian Government as it faces into a fifth year of defending its country against Russian aggression.

"I will reiterate to President Zelenskyy that during our EU Presidency, Ireland is strongly committed to advancing Ukraine's path to EU accession and to building consensus to ensure that Ukraine has the support it needs. We will also work on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression, including through further robust and targeted sanctions.

"I also look forward to discussing with President Zelenskyy how Ireland, including through our EU Presidency and our participation in the Coalition of Willing, can support efforts to achieve the shared goal of a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine which respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. I have always been clear that we cannot tolerate borders being changed by force and that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"I will also review with President Zelenskyy progress on the implementation of the 2030 Roadmap on Ireland-Ukraine Partnership, which we signed during the President's historical visit to Ireland last December, and what further support Ireland can provide to Ukraine building on the over €500 million in bilateral funding provided to date for humanitarian needs, non-lethal military assistance and to support Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure."