Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky meets the US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in September in Kyiv. Alamy
European Political Community
Zelenskyy meets Taoiseach in Dublin ahead of sit-down with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner tomorrow
The Ukrainian leader took part in a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach tonight during his brief visit to Dublin this week.
LAST UPDATE | 8 hrs ago
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has landed in Dublin ahead of tomorrow’s European Political Community summit and a separate meeting with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
Zelenskyy’s plane touched down in Baldonnell shortly before 4.15 pm and he arrived at Government Buildings in Dublin at around 5.40pm for a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
He signed the visitors’ book before taking part in a bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach.
Speaking at a press conference in Government Buildings immediately afterwards, Zelenskyy confirmed that he will meet with Kushner and Witkoff on Thursday in Dublin after the pair conclude talks with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi.
Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and the US special envoy for peace, announced the Irish meeting earlier today after Ukraine and Russia finished their second day of US-brokered negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
Kushner and Witkoff, the US Special Envoy, will head first to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, before flying to Dublin to meet with the Ukrainian president.
It is not yet known for certain where the Dublin meeting will take place.
Zelenskyy said this evening that he expects to be updated on plans to exchange prisoners of war and that between 1,000 and 1,200 prisoners may be exchanged.
He said it was a positive development, and he saw no reason why Russia should not greenlight the exchange.
The Ukrainian leader said there was a lot of talk in relation to security guarantees, but that they would need to wait and see what the US and Russians have to say.
He said a lot depended on Russia, but even more on the will of the US.
On the Donbas region, Zelenskyy said they couldn’t discuss abandoning the region.
He said there will also be discussions this week around who will represent Europe in any future talks, telling reporters that not having Europe’s involvement in ending the war would be “unjust”.
The Taoiseach said he hopes meetings in Dublin this week will bring “clarity” as to who those European representatives will be.
Earlier, Kushner said the meeting in Dublin would involve a “debrief” with Zelenskyy and that the US side sees “some openings and some opportunities” to make progress on unresolved issues following the previous discussions.
On the exchange of prisoners of war, Kushner said today’s talks were “positive” and that the biggest humanitarian release of prisoners was agreed. He said the numbers would be finalised on Thursday.
Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, and Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the planned exchange.
The Taoiseach said Ireland will not be participating in tomorrow’s meeting between Zelenskyy and the US envoys, but that we will provide “logistical support”.
EPC Summit
Zelenskyy is also due to speak at the EPC Summit in Dublin’s Convention Centre on Thursday, where EU leaders will be discussing, among other things, ongoing support for Ukraine against Russia and Ukrainian membership of the European Union.
The Taoiseach said Russia’s attacks on Ukraine are “barbarous” and “vile”.
He said the people of Ukraine deserve a “just and lasting peace” and added that Ukraine’s future “is in the European Union”.
He said Ireland is working towards “as much progress as possible” for Ukraine’s accession to the EU during Ireland’s six-month EU presidency.
Zelenskyy said he was hopeful that the two remaining accession clusters for EU membership could be opened before the end of this year.
Major traffic restrictions are in place in Dublin city centre ahead of the summit.
Over 100 advanced-escort-trained garda motorcyclists and over 200 motorcycle security escorts have been deployed to escort world leaders landing at Baldonnell and Dublin Airport.
Ukraine-Ireland drone deal
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach and Zelenskyy gave further information tonight on a planned drone deal between the two countries.
Martin said a joint memorandum is being explored on drone technology and manufacturing between the Irish Department of Defence and its Ukrainian counterpart.
“Given Ukrainian expertise in drone technology, that we could avail of that technology, particularly unmanned drones in respect of maritime security. But that work is still ongoing, and there is engagement between the two departments,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “ready to help” in relation to drones and Irish maritime security and said Ukraine is ready for “co-production with Ireland”.
With reporting by PA, Niall O’Connor and Jane Matthews
have your say