AS THE LEADER of a country with a long history of people leaving its shores, it was easy for Taoiseach Micheál Martin to find common ground between Ireland and Ukraine.

As he stood on the steps of Government Buildings alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon, Martin told him: 

“President Zelenskyy, as a country with a long history of migration of our own, as a people that, at times in our history, have known conflict and have sought refuge and opportunity abroad, as a people who have seen peace come and our country transformed, know that for as long as Ukraine needs our help and support, Ireland will be there for you.”

“Your struggle is our struggle. Your success will be our success.

“We are with you for as long as it takes,” the Taoiseach told a tired but defiant-looking Zelenskyy.

The same message was reiterated again and again throughout the day as the Ukrainian leader went about his first official visit to Ireland.

There was an atmosphere of muted excitement within Leinster House as TDs and Senators filed into the chamber this afternoon for Zelenskyy to make his address. 

It was one of those days where everyone in the building was aware of its significance and the gravitas attached to it. One of those days where you know you are witnessing something important. 

After the halls of Leinster House were cleared and Zelenskyy made his way into the chamber, shaking the hands of numerous TDs wishing him their best along the way, he was welcomed to the joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

In a memorable and well-delivered speech, she told him:

“War is a human tragedy. It destroys lives. It uproots families and leaves scars that endure for generations. War is never a solution, and Ireland knows this truth.

“Our own history teaches us that dialogue, however difficult, can bring peace.

“Ireland’s journey to peace was long and arduous, but it succeeded because people persevered in the belief that peace is the only solution. The same possibility exists for Ukraine.”

As Russia’s war in Ukraine nears its fourth year, against the backdrop of US-led peace talks that appear to heavily favour Russia, the Ukrainian leader arrived in Ireland late last night seeking to shore up support from an EU ally.

But the trip was also about thanking Ireland for opening its doors to 120,000 Ukrainians in need of refuge from the war since 2022. And Zelenskyy’s appreciation of this could not have been clearer.

At the joint press conference with the Taoiseach this afternoon, Zelenskyy thanked every Irish household that has opened its homes to Ukrainians, saying he knows it “is not easy”.

He also drew on the kinship that exists between Ireland and Ukraine.

He said he believed that Ireland had opened its doors to Ukrainian refugees because, as a country, it knows what Ukraine is going through.

“You understand it, I think, historically speaking and based on values,” Zelenskyy said.

He came back to this idea again in his address to the Dáil.

“Our people, Ukrainian and Irish, are among the few in Europe who spent centuries fighting for the right to remain themselves,” he said.

As much as the immense pressure that Zelenskyy is under was on show today, he did not appear to have let it consume him, finishing his address to the Dáil on a hopeful note.

“Today, Ukraine is closer to peace than ever before. There is a real, real chance, but we must seize this chance fully.”

Receiving a standing ovation at the end of his short address, Irish TDs and Senators were eager to let the Ukrainian President know his country has their support.