US President Joe Biden has told the Taoiseach he 'agrees' with Ireland's call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Leo Varadkar met with President Biden at The White House for the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations today.
The White House earlier said the Taoiseach and President Biden would "reaffirm the close and enduring partnership between the United States and Ireland and the extraordinary bonds between our people".
"They will discuss our countries' shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal aggression, as well as our coordination on a range of other global issues, including the Middle East," a statement said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said they would also reaffirm "steadfast support" for the Good Friday Agreement and welcome the recent restoration of the Stormont Assembly.
'Never been more optimistic'
President Biden said he believes there's nothing Ireland and the US cannot achieve together.
"I want to thank you, Leo, for Ireland's unwavering assistance to Ukraine including millions of vital of humanitarian aid that you provide," he said.
"I'm urging our Congress to do its part [and] get back in the game.
"I'm urging Congress to pass the bipartisan bill now; it includes a significant amount of humanitarian aid including to Ukraine and Gaza.
"As I said in Belfast, we remain committed to protecting the peace and progress in Northern Ireland since the Belfast Good Friday Agreement - and like you I'm glad to see the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly back up and running.
"Thank you again for being here and as we begin the next century of our partnership and friendship I've never been more optimistic.
"United by history, heritage and hope I think there's not a damn thing we can't do together".
Gaza ceasefire
Mr Varadkar said he was 'keen' to talk about the situation in Gaza.
"You'll know my view that we need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out," he said.
"We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution, which I think is the only way we'll have lasting peace and security".
President Biden said he 'agrees' with the Taoiseach on these points.
Mr Varadkar also thanked the US for its leadership on Ukraine, adding that leaders do not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin will stop there if he's "successful".
He also focused on the strength of economic ties, with 100,000 Americans working in Irish-owned firms in the US, and Ireland being one of the top 10 investors in the country.
"The US was one of the first countries to recognise Irish independence, and it's become such a strong relationship since then," he said.
"I'm very keen to talk about that a bit more, and also the strength of our economic relationship now, which increasingly goes both ways," Mr Varadkar added.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at The White House, 15-3-24. Image: Newstalk/Shane BeattyUS Vice-President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff earlier host the Taoiseach and his partner Matthew Barrett for breakfast.
Yesterday Mr Varadkar denied he was softening his tone on Gaza.
"Just to be very clear: there's nothing I wouldn't say here that I wouldn't say back home - or vice versa," he said.
"But I think anytime you speak to any audience or anytime you go anywhere in the world, you have to get the tone right and you have to tailor the message for the audience," he added.
Israel has been accused of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7th.
More than 31,184 Palestinians have been killed and 72,889 injured in the Gaza conflict, according to the local health authorities.
It comes as UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that at least 12,300 youngsters have died in the enclave in the last four months, compared with 12,193 globally between 2019 and 2022.
