Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Shannon Airport this morning.
Mr Zelenskyy arrived at the airport after 12 today for a stopover visit with the Taoiseach.
Mr Harris and Mr Zelenskyy will have their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil, focusing on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Harris offered his condolences for the Ukrainian citizens who have been killed since February 2022 - including in the bombing of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital earlier this week.
They also discussed further Irish assistance for the plight of thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus.
A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, ahead of his bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture date: Saturday July 13, 2024.Mr Harris said if Ukraine got back one child a day, it would take 55 years before all children are returned from Russia and occupied territories.
"Russia is actively stealing children from Ukraine," he said. "It is taking young babies and children from the clutches of their parents."
The Government has entered a coalition to campaign for the return of 20,000 Ukrainian children made to enter ‘re-education programmes’.
The Taoiseach also said he accepted an invitation to visit Kyiv later this summer.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, for a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture date: Saturday July 13, 2024.The meeting follows Mr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington for the 75th anniversary of NATO.
US President Joe Biden Joe Biden introduced Mr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” before quickly correcting himself during a NATO event on Thursday.
Mr Zelenskyy told reporters it was a "mistake" by Mr Biden but he is not angry.
"I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians," he said. "We can forget some mistakes."
Protestors also gathered outside Shannon Airport, calling on the Irish Government to “keep Ireland neutral” and do not allow international military flights to come through the airport.
Protesters at the entrance to Shannon Airport, Co Clare, ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture date: Saturday July 13, 2024.Ireland has provided €250 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility.
The Irish Defence Forces have also trained 455 Ukrainian soldiers in battlefield casualty care, demining and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
More than 108,000 Ukrainian refugees have also come to live in the State since the outbreak of the war.
Yesterday, NATO pledged to provide €40bn in military aid to Ukraine over the next year to help defend itself against Russia.
