Zelenskyy thanks Irish for 'hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees' during visit with Taoiseach

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed in Ireland on Saturday for a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris, where he thanked the nation for accepting Ukrainian refugees into the country.

Harris held the meeting with Zelenskyy at Shannon Airport in Co Clare.

Zelenskyy landed at Shannon Airport in Co Clare at noon, stopping over following a NATO event in the US.

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He embraced Harris after descending the steps from his state aircraft. The leaders also shook hands, with Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko also present.

Asked by reporters for his message to Ireland, Zelenskyy said: “First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.”

While discussing the future of the conflict during the bilateral, Harris expressed his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital earlier this week.

He also expressed Ireland’s full support for Ukraine’s bid towards EU membership.

Speaking at a press conference, Harris said: "I’ve just had a very good meeting with President Zelensky. I’m very pleased to welcome him to Ireland."

He added: "I took the opportunity to express condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Ukraine, to the president of Ukraine, for all the loss of civilian life throughout this brutal illegal war of Russian aggression."

Speaking after the meeting, the Taoiseach said he will visit Kyiv “in the coming weeks”.