Ukrainian President Voltodmy Zelensky scheduled for a visit to the Republic of Ireland

Ukrainian President Voltodmy Zelensky is expected to meet Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin in Dublin on Tuesday.

This is the first official visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president and first lady.

President Zelensky will also meet newly-inaugurated President Catherine Connolly in a “good call”, the Irish government said.

He is also scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum, together with the Tánaiste Prime Minister) Simon Harris and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

More than 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought refugee status in Ireland since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Some have returned and about 80,000 are estimated to continue in Ireland.

The Irish government said the visit was an opportunity to underpin “the close and warm relationship” between the two countries.

It also said that it also showed “Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal war against the Ukrainian community led by communities across the country”.

Speaking about the visit, TaoiseAf said that the people of Ukraine were “encouraged by the world in their brave defense of their country and its sovereignty as it was violently and illegally invaded by Russia”.

“The people of Ukraine continue to endure nightly Russian missile attacks on their cities,” he added.

“Their defense forces continue to defend their homeland with remarkable discipline.

“The President’s visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine and Europe, with efforts to bring lasting peace to Ukraine ongoing.”

Martin said he was looking forward to discussing with President Zelensky “ways in which Ireland can support these efforts and how we can ensure that Ukraine gets into as positive a position as possible”.

The Ukrainian President met the Taoiseach of Ireland in Februaryon his trip to the US to meet President Donald Trump and make a short stop at Shannon Airport in County Clare.

The two men also met during a visit by the Taoiseach to the Ukrainian Capital Kyiv in July 2022.