Neale Richmond
Question:33. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversation with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. [12777/22]
View answerTuesday, 29 March 2022
Questions (33, 34)
Bernard Durkan
Question:34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the nature of the dialogue he has had with representatives of Ukraine with particular reference to the ongoing conflict. [12789/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
I spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by phone on 16 March.
He expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Ireland for their support for Ukraine, including in welcoming those fleeing the war; for our support for Ukraine’s application for EU membership; and for our support for the most robust and severe sanctions against Russia.
He also expressed his condolences on the death of Pierre Zakrzewski, the Irish photo journalist killed in Ukraine, alongside his colleague, Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova, on 14 March.
President Zelenskyy briefed me on the very difficult situation on the ground in Ukraine, including with indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
President Zelenskyy also engaged virtually with the meeting of the European Council that I attended in Brussels on 24 March. He called on the EU to continue to exercise maximum pressure on Russia to end its appalling war.
I also spoke with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, on 1 March, when he briefed me on the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation on the ground at that time.
I conveyed the Government’s and the Irish public's strong solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and outlined the steps we are taking as a country and as an EU member state to support Ukraine.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 33.
Questions Nos. 35 to 39, inclusive, resubmitted.