Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland for an official one day visit.
He and the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, were greeted on Dublin Airport’s runway by Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Thomas Byrne.
The Ukrainian president will meet the taoiseach again for a bilateral meeting and pay a courtesy visit to newly inaugurated Irish president Catherine Connolly in Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday.
He is also expected to address both Irish houses of parliament – the Dáil and the Seanad.
It is the first official visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president and first lady.
He is also scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum, alongside the Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee.
The Irish government said the visit is an opportunity to underpin “the very close and warm relations” between the two countries.
PA/ Liam McBurneyMore 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 be still living in Ireland.
‘We pray for children, for soldiers, for all of people’
Ukrainian refugee Uriivna Olena is one of a group of women who attend Ukrainian Mass every Sunday in north Dublin and prays for the war to end.
The women are hopeful peace talks currently underway will be successful to end the war.
“We go every Sunday to church to pray and we pray for children, for humans, for soldiers, for all of people and we wish war would end soon,” she told BBC News NI after a Mass service finished last Sunday.
“It’s very hard for us.”
“All of us are paying for peace in Ukraine. We hope that this terrible war is finally ended,” said Tetiana Bilous, who is also a Ukrainian refugee.
She said the war starting has been “very difficult” and “understanding someone can have aggression against us, we are just people, citizens.”
“We were living a normal life and suddenly everything was interrupted, everything was ended.”
Ms Bilous said she is very grateful for the support from Ireland.
Mykhaylo Fedynshyn has been living in Ireland for over 20 years and he also attended mass.
“My relatives still work in Ukraine and I hope they will get back to normal life, as it was before the war. So no missile, no sirens, no explosions.”
He said he is hopeful peace talks would be successful.
“[I am hopeful] because Ukrainian people fighting so hard for independence, for freedom, so it has to be ended at some stage. But I believe it will be in Ukrainian favour, we will get the victory over our enemy.”
Traffic restrictions around Dublin
Speaking before the visit An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said those travelling to Dublin Airport, should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible rolling road closures, particularly on Tuesday evening.
Traffic restrictions will be in place on:
- Chesterfield Avenue, Phoenix Park from approximately 10:00 local time until about 13:00
- Kildare Street, Merrion Street, Merrion Square and the vicinity of Government Buildings and Leinster House from 11:00
- Stephens Green South, Stephens Green East and Leeson Street from 15:30
The public can also expect localised road closures to facilitate events and temporary rolling road closures to facilitate security escorts over the course of Tuesday.