President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address in the Irish Parliament, thanking the country for supporting Ukrainians and stressing the need for global unity to achieve a just and lasting peace. He urged the world not to forget Russia’s crimes and to maintain pressure until the occupation fully ends.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed members of the Irish Parliament, expressing gratitude for the protection and shelter Ireland has provided to Ukrainians since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. As Zelenskyy noted, the Ukrainian and Irish peoples share a long history of fighting for their own freedom, and Ireland’s support has remained steadfast despite the fatigue of war.
He emphasised that Ukraine is now closer to peace than ever before, but achieving it requires engagement from many nations. Zelenskyy said that a truly lasting peace is possible only when countries of different sizes and economic strength unite their efforts, because “no one can defeat a community of nations that stands together.”
Zelenskyy stressed that Russia cannot wage war indefinitely if the world maintains unity. He called on Ireland to continue helping other nations understand why supporting Ukraine and resisting Russian aggression is essential.
The President reminded the audience that Russia’s invasion is a “criminal, unprovoked act of aggression” aimed at treating Ukraine as property and Ukrainians as subordinates. He stressed that pressure on Russia must continue until the occupation ends, and its crimes must be brought to justice.
One of the central messages of his speech was a call for Ireland to actively support the creation of an international tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. Zelenskyy also urged continued sanctions and assistance in returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as those held in captivity since 2014.
Speaking about Ukraine’s European future, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine strives to stand alongside Ireland as an equal member of the European Union. He noted that Ireland already plays a crucial role in shaping global pressure and communicating to the world the need to defend the values of freedom and justice.
At the end of his address, the President called on the Irish people not to lose faith in Ukraine and to use their influential global voice, because “your voice can guide the international community in the right direction.”