Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Ireland for its support as he addressed the opening ceremony of Ireland's EU presidency at Dublin Castle on Wednesday afternoon. He said Ireland had stood by his country and its people from the "very beginning" of Russia's invasion.
Zelensky's Address at Dublin Castle
Zelensky congratulated Ireland on its EU Council presidency, which will last for six months. During this period, Ireland will host hundreds of EU meetings and visits by leaders across the bloc, starting from next week. The Irish Government has outlined three priorities: competitiveness, values, and security.
In his speech, Zelensky criticized "companies in European countries whose only purpose is to work for Russia." He stated: "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."
Arrival and Meetings
Earlier on Wednesday, 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 the formal opening ceremony.
This visit comes exactly seven months after Zelensky'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 that trip, Gardaí investigated reports of drones over the Irish Sea around the time his plane landed at Dublin Airport.
Security Measures
Defence Minister Helen McEntee later said counter-drone technology would be in place during Ireland's EU presidency. An Garda Síochána has warned that a policing and security operation is in place at Dublin Castle and will remain for the next six months of Ireland's term.
This is the eighth time Ireland has held the presidency, having last held the role in 2013.
