Irish Prime Minister Arrives in Ukraine on an Unannounced Official Visit
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrived in Ukraine today on an official unannounced visit, according to Independent. Leo Varadkar met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and witnessed the devastating consequences of the Russian war.
This morning, he visited towns and villages near Kyiv that were under Russian occupation. "I am here to express Ireland's solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine as they endure over 500 days of Russian aggression. Today, in Ukraine, I have seen first-hand the horror inflicted by Russian forces. I have pledged to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people that we will continue to offer our practical and political support," said Varadkar.
In return, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Ireland for its support during the war. "Although Ireland is a neutral country, neutrality does not mean indifference, and that is crucial. Thank you for your support," he wrote.
"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 prevail," added the Irish Prime Minister.
He announced the allocation of €5 million for Ukraine, which will go towards addressing ongoing emergencies, including the restoration of the Kakhovka Dam. Two million euros will be allocated to the UN Humanitarian Fund, while three million euros will be spent by the Red Cross in Ukraine.
Varadkar laid wreaths in memory of the children who perished during the war, those who died during the Euromaidan protests in 2014, and those who lost their lives after the Russian invasion in 2022.
The Irish Prime Minister also plans to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Prime Minister Shmyhal, and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Stefanchuk. In Kyiv, he will visit Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Theatre and meet with the cast of the play "Translations" by Brian Friel, which recently premiered at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He will also meet with Irish nationals and business representatives working in Ukraine.