LAST UPDATE | 6 Jul 2022
THE TAOISEACH HAS held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv as part of a visit to discuss how Ireland and the EU can support Ukraine.
Micheál Martin travelled to the Ukrainian capital this morning to meet authorities and witness sites that have been devastated by the Russian army after Zelenskyy extended an invitation during a recent phone call.
He planned to communicate Irish people’s solidarity with Ukraine and express Ireland’s support for continuing sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime and Ukraine’s path to becoming an EU member.
He has visited Irpin and Borodyanka, two urban areas in the Kyiv province that Russia heavily hit in the early weeks of its invasion, including attacks on civilian buildings.
He tweeted that it is “difficult to comprehend the devastation and inhumanity” of Russia’s attacks in the region.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Zelenskyy today, the Taoiseach said he visited Kyiv to express Ireland’s solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine.
“We admire you and we are with you. Russia’s brutal war against this beautiful democratic country is a gross violation of international law. It is an affront to everything that Ireland stands for. It cannot and it will not be allowed to stand,” Martin said.
The Fianna Fáil leader noted that Ireland has provided additional funding to the International Criminal Court to enable it to investigate war crimes. He also congratulated Zelenskyy’s government for achieving European Union candidate status.
“I’ve always made clear from the outset our strong view that Ukraine belongs to the European Union. The values that people are fighting and dying for today are European values. Our values.
“But it was the commitment and the hard work of the government in Kyiv that convinced the European Commission to come forward with a positive recommendation so quickly, and it’s a richly deserved outcome.
As you undertake the complex journey to membership, Ireland will be with you every step of the way. And we’ll do what we can to help you work with the European institutions and the Commission.
“Because we in Ireland have been transformed by our 50 years membership of the European Union and we want the very same transformation for you,” Martin said.
He has also travelled to Bucha, another epicentre of destruction, where he viewed a mass grave found near a church.
A local cleric showed him the site and a photo exhibition of the bodies and of people found shot dead on the streets.
The Taoiseach also visited the Holodomor Memorial in Kyiv, and laid a wreath at foot of the Bitter Memory of Childhood statue, which commemorates the victims of the famine in 1932-33.
The famine, which occurred in Soviet Ukraine, is estimated to have killed up to 10 million people.
“Both Ukraine and Ireland know the suffering and pain of famine,” he said in a tweet.
“Russia must not be allowed to use food as a weapon in this immoral and unjustified war.”
The Taoiseach and Zelenskyy then held a bilateral meeting, after which the Ukrainian president posted a social media message expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you that in this defining time for our state Ireland is near,” he said.
“I am grateful that Ireland stands by our side in this crucial time for our country.”
As well as his bilateral meeting with President Zelensky, the Taoiseach also held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
“The people of Ireland stand with Ukraine and its people in the face of Russia’s immoral and unprovoked war of terror,” Martin said.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said that the “people of Ireland stand with Ukraine and its people in the face of Russia’s immoral and unprovoked war of terror”.
“The bombardment and attacks on civilians are nothing short of war crimes, and I will use my visit to express Ireland’s support for moves to hold those behind these attacks fully accountable,” he said.
“The spirit and resolve of the Ukrainian people has inspired us all, and Ireland will provide every support for Ukraine’s path to full EU membership, and continue to welcome and support civilians fleeing this war.”
In June, the EU officially granted Ukraine candidate status to become a member state, opening the way for it to begin the complex process of fulfilling the union’s criteria to join the bloc.
The EU Council, which is comprised of the heads of state and government of the 27 member countries – including Taoiseach Micheál Martin – met in Brussels to discuss the enlargement of the union after applications from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
Ukraine and Moldova were approved for formal candidacy, with Georgia was offered a ‘European perspective’ while working on priorities set out by the European Commission.
The Taoiseach described the Council meeting as “significant” and “historic”.
“We in Ireland know what the European Union means, being a member of the European Union. It’s the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s decision to join the European Union, probably the single most transformative decision and event that happened in modern Irish history,” he said.
“I always cannot comprehend how we could ever refuse accession to other member states, because we know that membership itself can be transformative and can spur on reforms, can spur on economic development.”
Yesterday, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s defence ministry said that Russian forces outside Donbas were “trying to bind our troops in order to prevent them from moving to the battle areas”.
Zelenskyy, speaking in his evening address, said he was pressing for upgraded anti-missile systems as air siren alerts sounded around much of the country, including in Kyiv.
He said that “the Russian army does not take any breaks” and Ukraine’s task “is to hold on”.
Additional reporting by Jane Moore and Céimin Burke
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