Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Ireland for its support as he addressed the opening ceremony of the country’s EU presidency at Dublin Castle on Wednesday afternoon.
The Ukrainian president said Ireland had stood by his country and its people from the “very beginning” of Russia’s invasion.
He thanked Ireland for its assistance during the war and congratulated the country on its EU Council presidency.
Ireland will hold the presidency for six months, during which time the nation will host hundreds of EU meetings as well as visits by leaders across the bloc, starting from next week.
The Irish Government has said its three priorities will be around competitiveness, values and security.
During his speech, Mr Zelensky took aim at “companies in European countries whose only purpose is to work for Russia”.
He said: “Unfortunately, there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs.
“They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials, even now.”
He also directly addressed the President of the European Council Antonio Costa with a plea to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession process.
Negotiations are structured in clusters and chapters and, during his speech, Mr Zelensky quipped: “We can open five more clusters, Antonio. What do you think?”
Mr Costa could be heard replying “maybe” from the crowd.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, where he was greeted by Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to meet him after he attends the formal opening ceremony.
It is exactly seven months since the Ukrainian president’s state visit to Ireland, when he met President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin and delivered a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas.Following the trip, Gardaí investigated reports of drones over the Irish Sea around the time Mr Zelensky’s plane landed at Dublin Airport.
Defence Minister Helen McEntee later said counter-drone technology would be in place during Ireland’s EU presidency.
It is the eighth time Ireland has held the presidency, having last held the role in 2013.
An Garda Síochana has warned a policing and security operation is in place at Dublin Castle and will remain in place for the next six months of Ireland’s term.
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