Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in Dublin late on Monday ahead of a full day of engagements marking the first state visit by a Ukrainian president to Ireland.
He and Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska were greeted at Dublin Airport by Irish premier Micheal Martin and junior minister with responsibility for European Affairs Thomas Byrne.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha also forms part of the Ukrainian delegation.
The Ukrainian ambassador in Dublin, Larysa Gerasko, and Irish ambassador to Ukraine Jonathan Conlon were on the tarmac for their arrival shortly before 11pm.
Mr Zelensky’s brief visit to Dublin comes as the US administration try to broker a ceasefire underpinned by a peace plan.
He arrived in the Irish capital hours after meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where both leaders struck an optimistic tone about the US draft framework previously criticised as being too weighted towards Russian demands.
The visit also comes days after the resignation of Ukraine’s chief negotiator and Mr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak, whose residence was searched on Friday by anti-corruption investigators.
Mr Zelensky will have a number of engagements during his visit on Tuesday, including a courtesy call to Ireland’s newly-inaugurated president Catherine Connolly.
He will also attend the launch of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum with Irish deputy premier Simon Harris and deliver an address to the Irish parliament.
Mr Zelensky was last in Ireland in February, when his plane stopped off to refuel ahead of a visit to Washington DC.
Mr Martin then met the Ukrainian leader at Shannon Airport in Ireland’s south-west, where he emphasised the Irish people’s support for Ukraine.
The following day, a televised exchange in the Oval Office between Mr Zelensky, US president Donald Trump and US vice president JD Vance made international headlines.
In April 2022, Mr Zelensky made a historic address to the Irish parliament via video link, in which he said Ireland had not been neutral to the “disaster” Russia had brought to Ukraine.
Mr Martin said it was an honour to welcome Mr Zelensky to Ireland and said the visit came at a “critical time” for Ukraine.
“Around the world, he is rightly recognised as someone who embodies the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who have inspired the world in their brave defence of their country and its sovereignty since it was brutally and illegally invaded by Russia,” he said.
He praised Ukraine’s “remarkable tenacity” in defending their country and said he looked forward to “reiterating Ireland’s unswerving commitment to standing with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes”.
He said: “The president’s visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine and Europe, with efforts to bring just and lasting peace to Ukraine ongoing.
“I look forward to discussing with President Zelensky the ways in which Ireland can support these efforts and how we can ensure that Ukraine comes to the negotiating table in as strong a position as possible.
“The inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum also offers an opportunity to explore the potential for strengthened business-to-business, trade and investment links between Ireland and Ukraine.
“We also want to see a Ukraine that is fully part of our European Union family, and I particularly look forward to discussing with the president how Ireland can assist in accelerating Ukraine’s journey towards EU membership, including during our presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.
“I will also be telling the president about the remarkable story of the Ukrainian people who have sought refuge in Ireland since 2022.
“In that period, we have welcomed over 120,000 Ukrainians seeking safe haven. Some have returned, some have moved on and many have remained, but all have made a great contribution to our society through their hard work and vibrant culture, becoming valued members of our communities.”
