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 stood by Ukraine 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 presidency of the Council of the EU.
Ireland will hold the presidency for six months, during which the country will host hundreds of EU meetings as well as visits by EU leaders, starting from next week.
The Irish government has said its three priorities will be around competitiveness, values and security.
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.
When Ireland assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union, it will do so for the eighth time, having last held the role in 2013.
An Garda Síochana has warned that 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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