UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has expressed “special gratitude” to the Irish communities who have taken in refugees from Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference with the Taoiseach at Government Buildings this afternoon, Zelenskyy thanked “every Irish home that has sheltered our people here”.

He acknowledged that “it is not easy”, stating “after all, there has been almost four years” of war between Ukraine and Russia.

The visit by the president of Ukraine comes at a pivotal point in the negotiations towards a peace deal, with Russian President Vladimir Putin set to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow later today.

The Ukrainian president said he is “doing everything we can to ensure our people can return home”.

Government cuts accommodation supports 

The visit to Ireland comes just one month after the Irish government announced that new arrivals from Ukraine will only be allowed stay in State accommodation for 30 days. Previously, people fleeing the war in Ukraine could stay in this accommodation for 90 days.

When asked specifically about the new measure, and whether he believed it signified waning support from Ireland, Zelenskyy said in his view, Ireland is a values based country. 

“Ireland has been helping Ukrainians who stayed behind and those that moved to Ireland and we are grateful for that,” he told the media. 

He held off on criticising the Irish government’s recent changes to Ukrainian supports, stating that the way he was brought up, he can’t criticise the help that has been given, “whether it is getting more or less, we should be grateful”. 

Zelenskyy said Ireland helped Ukrainians “because you understand what we were going through, you understand it historically speaking”. 

He added that the question is not about the size [of support] but about the choice the Irish people made. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland would continue to support Ukrainians in Ireland, but stopped short of giving any commitment that they would be given any special status or track to achieve Irish citizenship earlier than others.

He said Ireland would use its role of the European Presidency next year to push for a speedier process towards Ukraine joining the EU.   

‘Protection for our people’

Zelenskyy, addressing a joint sitting of the Oireachtas, thanked those who are “providing  a home and protection to our people”.  

While some societies have “fatigue”, Zelenskyy said he doesn’t feel the voice of Ireland is getting quieter. 

He thanked Ireland again for its steadfast support “for these years of standing with us” and “for not losing faith in us”. 

“The day will come where we will welcome home all our people who were forced to flee,” he said, stating he wants the Ukraine they return to be peaceful back to peaceful.

“We are working to make that real,” he said, stating that now there is a “real chance” for peace. 

“Ukraine wants peace,” said Zelenskyy. He added that like Ukraine, Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe that have had to fight to “remain ourselves”. 

He added that it will take a “community of nations” to secure peace, stating that: 

“Europe cannot run away from its own values.” 

Speaking about Ireland, the Ukrainian president said that Ireland’s voice matters, stating that its diaspora around the world includes millions of people, who he said “can influence” hundreds of millions more. 

Citing the awareness of St Patrick’s Day around the world, he said the Irish and Ukrainians are “united for real peace”. 

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