The Irish Government has announced a significant new package of financial support for Ukraine.

The €36m in funding will provide essential humanitarian assistance and eventual reconstruction, while also contributing to Ukraine's longer-term goals, including peace and stability.

The Taoiseach Simon Harris is visiting Ukraine today for the first time after travelling from southeast Poland to Ukraine by overnight train.

He will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv later this afternoon and will then meet with a number of international bodies, charities and visit several areas bombed by Russia.

The two leaders are also due to sign an agreement on support and cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine.

Taoiseach Simon Harris views some of the destruction from the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Image: Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

Mr Harris told reporters in Poland he wished to discuss with President Zelenskyy how Ireland can continue to help Ukraine “from a humanitarian point of view.”

“We are pledging an additional €36 million in 2024, along with €7 million into the European Investment Bank,” he said.

“This is to assist with a whole variety of projects around infrastructure, but also around humanitarian need.

“I'll also take the opportunity of being in Ukraine to visit a number of projects that are funded by Irish aid and see the direct practical impact that we're making there.

“I'm conscious we're already playing an important role in relation to demining and very eager that Ireland continues to do more in that space.”

A Banksy artwork in Ukraine. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

The Taoiseach added that he was invited to Ukraine by President Zelenskyy and was "very pleased to be able to take up that invitation".

He also said that Ireland plans to stand with Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”

Meanwhile, over 50 people were killed in a Russian missile attack on the city of Poltava yesterday.

The attack was one of the deadliest carried out by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Main image: Taoiseach Simon Harris greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, ahead of their bilateral meeting. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo