Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday and pledged Ireland’s continued “support and solidarity” amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Mr Varadkar also briefed Mr Zelenskiy on discussions he had with US president Joe Biden and others about the Russian invasion during his visit to Washington DC last week.
According to a Government readout of the call, the Taoiseach told Mr Zelenskiy that he thanked the US for its “steadfast support [for Ukraine] and encouraged them to continue it for as long as it takes”.
Mr Zelenskiy is said to have thanked Ireland for its ongoing support of his country.
Mr Varadkar promised this would continue, saying Ireland is backing Ukraine’s application for EU membership, and is examining how additional help can be provided to rebuild the country’s civilian and energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president extended his wishes for a happy St Patrick’s Day to Ireland and “wished peace and good luck to Ireland and Irish people.”
Mr Zelenskiy later posted on Twitter that during the call he noted Ireland’s support for Ukraine.
He said he thanked Ireland for joining an international “Core Group on creating a Special Tribunal for aggression”.
Mr Zelenskiy said the pair also discussed the “intensification of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere”.
