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\nKyiv’s Lukianivka neighbourhood has been damaged by Russian strikes<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin is in Kyiv today for a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.<\/p>\n
The two leaders are expected to discuss Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and European Union support for the country during Ireland\u2019s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, including Ukraine\u2019s accession negotiations.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach will also meet with Ukraine\u2019s new Prime Minister, Serhii Koretskyi, who was appointed last week.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin will then visit the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and meet its speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. They are to discuss Ukraine\u2019s EU accession negotiations and the agenda for domestic reforms, which Ukraine needs to implement in order to join the bloc.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of today\u2019s visit, the Taoiseach said: “My visit to Kyiv early in the term of Ireland\u2019s Presidency of the EU is important to underline the EU\u2019s and Ireland\u2019s continuing solidarity with the Ukrainian government and the people of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
“Having endured more than four years of brutal aggression against its people and territory, Ukraine continues to demonstrate tremendous resilience and courage in the face of relentless Russian attacks, which have intensified on Kyiv and other parts of the country in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
“I strongly condemn these actions, which have led to significant loss of life and risk further humanitarian crises, and call on Russia to end its war.”<\/p>\n
Irish funding<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach will also visit civilian areas in Kyiv damaged by Russia’s recent drone and missile strikes and will meet with international organisations and charities supported by Irish funding that are aiding those affected by the attacks.<\/p>\n
Ireland has provided more than \u20ac500m in aid to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, covering humanitarian needs, non-lethal military assistance and funding to support the country’s critical energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\nKyiv’s Lukianivka neighbourhood has been damaged by Russian strikes<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said that support for Ukraine was a central priority of Ireland\u2019s presidency of the EU and that his meetings with Mr Zelensky and Mr Koretskyi will focus on the situation on the ground and the needs of the Ukrainian government in the fifth year of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n
The visit is taking place while the Irish Government is investigating whether exports of alumina to Russia by Aughinish Alumina, a plant in Co Limerick, are ending up in the production of Russian munitions.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, while speaking at the opening ceremony of Ireland’s EU presidency at Dublin Castle, Mr Zelensky said that he hoped the investigation does not take a month to complete and that the supply of alumina to Russia from Ireland should be halted.<\/p>\n
Despite that plea from Mr Zelensky, the report is expected to be complete by the end of this month, almost four weeks since the Department of Enterprise began its investigation.<\/p>\n
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\nThe Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick<\/p>\n
Mr Zelensky has also been beset by political upheaval at home this week.<\/p>\n