Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Shannon Airport in Co Clare today, Thursday, February 27.
Zelenskyy stopped in Shannon en route to the US where he is set to meet with President Donald Trump.
In a statement after Thursday's meeting, the Taoiseach said: "We discussed the most recent developments with regard to the situation in Ukraine ahead of the President’s meeting with President Trump.
“I reiterated Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to defend themselves against Russia’s ongoing illegal and brutal aggression.
“I reaffirmed Ireland’s readiness to offer practical humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine, both bilaterally and with our EU partners.
“We discussed how, together with the EU, we can advance a just, sustainable and durable peace in Ukraine. This will be a key focus of the discussions among EU leaders at the special meeting of the European Council on 6 March.
“I also took the opportunity to offer my support for the acceleration of Ukraine’s membership of the EU. This will be an important part of broader security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Warm and substantial meeting with President Zelenskyy in Shannon.
I reiterated Ireland’s steadfast support and readiness to offer humanitarian and financial support.
We discussed how, together with the EU, we can advance a just, sustainable and durable peace in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/mPKUvFtXJ3
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 27, 2025
In his own statement, Zelenskyy said: "Ukraine deeply appreciates the support and assistance of the Irish people and government, as well as everything they have provided to help strengthen our defense against Russian terror.
"We discussed steps toward ending the war with a guaranteed peace for Ukraine and all of Europe, the importance of unity between Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and all those committed to global stability on this path.
"We also talked about security guarantees and cooperation on Ukraine’s path to the EU.
"We are grateful to Ireland for standing with us in all of these areas.
"We also addressed Ireland’s participation in the Demining Coalition and EU training missions, as well as non-lethal security assistance that will help save lives.
"Additionally, we discussed our humanitarian initiative, Food from Ukraine, and how Ireland can contribute."
I met with Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD of Ireland. Ukraine deeply appreciates the support and assistance of the Irish people and government, as well as everything they have provided to help strengthen our defense against Russian terror.
We discussed steps toward ending the war… pic.twitter.com/8yzVIiInA6
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 27, 2025
In the US, Zelenskyy is set to meet with President Trump, who last week labeled Zelenskyy a "dictator" and placed blame on him for the war, despite Russia invading Ukraine in February 2022.
On Monday, in a distinct shift away from European allies, the US sided with Russia when it voted against the "advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” resolution in the UN. Ireland supported the resolution.
Yesterday, when asked about tariffs on the EU, Trump said: "We have made a decision, and we’ll be announcing it very soon. And it’ll be 25%, generally speaking, and that’ll be on cars and all other things."
After noting that he "loves the countries of Europe," Trump added: "But European Union has been — it was formed in order to screw the United States.
"I mean, look, let’s be honest. The European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it, but now I’m president."
On Thursday, the Taoiseach was asked by reporters after his meeting with Zelenskyy if Trump is an ally of Europe.
He replied: "I think Donald Trump is an ally of peace."
The Taoiseach is set to travel to Washington, DC next month for St. Patrick's Day engagements, though the scope of the annual events has yet to be confirmed.
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