Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska commenced an unprecedented official visit to Dublin, marking the first time a Ukrainian head of state has undertaken such a diplomatic mission to Ireland. The distinguished guests were formally received at Dublin Airport’s runway by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The carefully orchestrated one-day itinerary features multiple high-level engagements, including a comprehensive bilateral meeting between President Zelensky and Taoiseach Martin. The Ukrainian leader is also scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to newly inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official presidential residence. In a significant diplomatic honor, President Zelensky will address a joint session of Ireland’s parliamentary houses—the Dáil and Seanad.
The visit includes the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum, where Zelensky will appear alongside Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee. The Irish government characterized the occasion as pivotal for reinforcing the ‘very close and warm relations’ between the nations.
This diplomatic exchange occurs against the backdrop of substantial Ukrainian refugee presence in Ireland, with approximately 80,000 of the 120,000 who sought refuge since February 2022 remaining in the country. The human dimension of this crisis was reflected in north Dublin, where Ukrainian refugee women gather weekly for Mass, praying for peace and an end to the conflict.
Uriivna Olena, one of the regular attendees, expressed the collective anguish: ‘We pray for children, for humans, for soldiers, for all people. It’s very hard for us.’ Fellow refugee Tetiana Bilous reflected on the traumatic disruption of normal life, while expressing profound gratitude for Irish support.
Long-term Ukrainian resident Mykhaylo Fedynshyn, residing in Ireland for over two decades, voiced hope that peace negotiations would ultimately restore normalcy to his homeland, free from missiles, sirens, and explosions.
Irish authorities implemented significant security measures for the visit, including rolling road closures and traffic restrictions around key government locations throughout Tuesday to facilitate the presidential movement.