The Taoiseach has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Before meeting President Zelenskyy, Leo Varadkar visited the massacre site in the Northern Kyiv district of Bucha, where he met family members of those killed by Russian troops.
In a statement, Mr Varadkar said he was making the trip to pledge solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and to bear witness to the effects of Russia’s invasion at first hand.
He used the trip to announce a further €5m in humanitarian funding to help with the ongoing emergency response in the country.
Вітаю в Україні Главу Уряду Ірландії Лео Варадкара @LeoVaradkar. Сьогодні проведемо важливі переговори: безпека, політична взаємодія, справедливість для України та наша економічна взаємодія.
Хоч Ірландія є нейтральною країною, ця нейтральність не означає байдужості, і це дуже… pic.twitter.com/ZNWiuxz9d1
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2023
“This morning I came face-to-face with the horror inflicted by Russia’s forces on the people of Ukraine,” said Mr Varadkar.
“I gave a commitment to President Zelenskyy, and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical, as well as our political backing.
“I am here to express Ireland’s solidarity with the Government and the people of Ukraine as they endure more than 500 days of Russian attacks.”
He said Ireland would continue to support Ukraine’s push for EU membership.
“We will work with international partners to ensure that those responsible for this crime of aggression are held accountable, and we will work with Ukraine to restore essential civilian infrastructure to meet their needs today and in the future when they have prevailed,” he said.
“This is the 21st century, national borders cannot be changed through violence, and democratically elected Governments should not be overthrown by foreign invasion.
“We have to draw a line in the sand here and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Today in #Ukraine I came face to face with the horror inflicted by Russia’s forces. I gave a commitment to @ZelenskyyUa, and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical as well as our political backing pic.twitter.com/a7b6ce6C8v
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 19, 2023
In a statement, President Zelenskyy said he had held important negotiations with the Taoiseach regarding “security, political interaction, justice for Ukraine and our economic interaction”.
“Although Ireland is a neutral country, this neutrality does not mean indifference, and this is very important,” he said.
He thanked Ireland for all its support since the invasion began.
