Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been invited to visit Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The two leaders spoke by phone on Tuesday, for the first time since Mr Varadkar took back the top job in December.
President Zelenskyy offered New Year's wishes to the people of Ireland, and expressed his strong appreciation for their 'comprehensive support for and friendship to Ukraine.'
An honour to speak to @zelenskyyUa this evening. President wished the people of Ireland a Happy New year, and thanked them for their friendship and generosity. Ireland stands in solidarity with #Ukraine, supports EU membership and will continue financial and other aid pic.twitter.com/jrUbAoBei8
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 10, 2023
Mr Varadkar assured Mr Zelenskyy of Ireland's ongoing solidarity, and said Ireland is 'resolute in backing Ukraine's application for EU membership.'
He said the 70,000 Ukrainians that had sought refuge in Ireland were welcome, and that the Irish people were responding to their difficult situation with great generosity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin ahead of a joint press conference at the Ukrainian Government Building in Kyiv in July 2022. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire/RollingNews.ieThe Taoiseach said Ireland would continue to provide financial and other assistance to Ukraine, and that the country was "very aware" of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
He also said Ireland was pleased to help Ukraine with equipment to repair its electricity grid - such as the large transformer sent from Ireland to Ukraine this month.
President Zelenskyy highlighted his 10-point Peace Formula, and the Taoiseach expressed his support for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Mr Zelenskyy invited the Taoiseach to visit Ukraine at a future opportunity, and assured him his people remained strong.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin visited Ukraine last summer while serving as Taoiseach - becoming the first Taoiseach ever to do so.
