Micheál Martin to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Thursday as pressure mounts on Ireland over alumina exports.

The two leaders are expected to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and how Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU can support Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Martin will also meet Ukraine’s new prime minister Serhii Koretskyi, former head of state energy company Naftogaz, who was appointed last week during a controversial government reshuffle.

Zelenskiy has cited Koretskyi’s record in the energy sector and said he was best prepared to guide Ukraine through another winter, when Russian attacks on the power grid intensify.

The Taoiseach will also visit the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and meet its speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, where they are expected to discuss EU accession negotiations.

The Taoiseach will also visit civilian areas in Kyiv damaged in recent attacks by Russia and meet members of the Irish community in Kyiv.

The visit comes as pressure increases on Ireland over the Russian-owned refinery in Limerick, Aughinish Alumina, over allegations that alumina from the plant is being used to supply the manufacturers of missiles, tanks and aircraft being used against Ukraine.

During Zelenskiy’s visit to Dublin earlier this month, he said he was hopeful for “a positive result for us” in the investigation carried out by Ireland into alumina exports.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Martin said Ukraine was a “central priority” for Ireland’s presidency of the EU as he praised Ukraine’s courage in resisting “relentless” Russian attacks.

He condemned the Russian attacks that had “intensified” on Kyiv and elsewhere in recent weeks.

“My visit to Kyiv early in the term of Ireland’s presidency of the EU is important to underline the EU’s and Ireland’s continuing solidarity with the Ukrainian government and the people of Ukraine,” the Taoiseach said.

“Support for Ukraine is a central priority of the Irish presidency of the EU.”

Martin also said that there would be increased pressure on Russia to end its war through “further robust and targeted sanctions”.

“This visit is an opportunity to hear directly from President Zelensky and Prime Minister Koretskyi about the situation on the ground and the needs of the Ukrainian government as it faces into a fifth year of defending its country against Russian aggression.

“I will reiterate to President Zelensky that during our EU presidency, Ireland is strongly committed to advancing Ukraine’s path to EU accession and to building consensus to ensure that Ukraine has the support it needs.

“We will also work on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression, including through further robust and targeted sanctions.

“I also look forward to discussing with President Zelensky how Ireland, including through our EU presidency and our participation in the Coalition of Willing, can support efforts to achieve the shared goal of a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I have always been clear that we cannot tolerate borders being changed by force and that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

“I will also review with President Zelensky progress on the implementation of the 2030 Roadmap on Ireland-Ukraine Partnership, which we signed during the president’s historical visit to Ireland last December, and what further support Ireland can provide to Ukraine building on the over 500 million euro in bilateral funding provided to date for humanitarian needs, non-lethal military assistance and to support Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.”