LAST UPDATE | 1 Dec 2025

UKRAINE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has landed at Dublin Airport ahead of a busy day tomorrow when his first official visit to the State will get underway. 

He is joined on the short trip by his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena step off the plane at Dublin Airport Dublin Airport Dublin Airport

His plane touched down at Dublin Airport shortly before 11pm.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Thomas Byrne were waiting on the airfield to greet Zelenskyy at the start of his visit.

Martin said it was an honour to greet Zelenskyy and his wife and remarked on social media: “Our support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy remains unwavering.”

Honoured to welcome President @ZelenskyyUa and First Lady @ZelenskaUA to Ireland. Our support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy remains unwavering. 🇮🇪🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/9KCxuzzZpQ

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 1, 2025

While here, the pair will have a series of engagements in Dublin, including a bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Martin and a meeting with President Catherine Connolly in Áras an Uachtaráin. 

He will also participate in a joint press appearance with the Taoiseach, an address to a sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and a later event focused on trade and economic cooperation hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Zelenskyy is also expected to meet members of the 80,000 strong Ukrainian community living in Ireland before departing the country tomorrow night.

Recently acquired armoured vehicle from the Garda Emergency Response Unit waits on the runway at Dublin Airport for the arrival of Zelenskyy RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

The visit comes at an important moment for Ukraine with peace talks currently ongoing between Ukraine and Russia in the United States. 

It is being seen by some as part of efforts by Zelenskyy to shore up support fron Ukrainian allies in the European Union. 

Speaking today in Paris before flying for Dublin, Zelenskyy sounded optimistic about revising the Trump peace plan, saying “it looks better” and the work will continue during talks on how to end Russia’s nearly four-year war.

Meanwhile, gardaí have said that normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport throughout Zelenskyy’s visit but people should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible rolling road closures, particularly tomorrow evening.

The visit will be concentrated in Dublin City throughout tomorrow and in general, gardaí say traffic restrictions will be “kept to the minimum required” and it’s intended that any impact will be localised and minimal.

However, for security reasons, the following traffic management measures will be in place tomorrow:

• Traffic restrictions will be in place on Chesterfield Avenue, Phoenix Park from around 10am to 1pm.
• Traffic restrictions will be in place on Kildare Street, Merrion Street, Merrion Square and the vicinity of Government Buildings and Leinster House from 11am.
• Traffic restrictions will be in place on Stephens Green South, Stephens Green East and Leeson Street from 3.30pm.

The public can also expect localised road closures to facilitate events and temporary rolling road closures to facilitate security escorts over the course of tomorrow in the Dublin Region, particularly in the City Centre.

People travelling in the affected areas of Dublin (Phoenix Park/ South City Centre) are asked to plan their journeys to ensure to leave enough time for possible traffic disruptions and are advised to expect some localised delays.

Operational plans are subject to change for security reasons and real-time updates will be provided, where appropriate and if required, through Garda social media channels.

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper