Taoiseach Micheál Martin has challenged reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had included Ireland in a group of countries that had not fully supported Ukraine.
In a video address to EU leaders during last night’s summit in Brussels, Mr Zelensky had delivered a roll call of EU member states that stood in solidarity with his country.
According to RTE, he said: “Lithuania stands for us. Latvia stands for us. Estonia stands for us. Poland stands for us…”
However, he appeared to urge some countries, such as France and Germany, to go further.
Mr Zelensky concluded his roll call by saying: “Luxembourg – we understand each other. Cyprus – I really believe you are with us. Italy – thank you for your support!
“Spain – we’ll find common ground. Belgium – we will find arguments. Austria, together with Ukrainians, it is an opportunity for you. I’m sure of it. Ireland – well, practically.”
Arriving on the second day of the summit, the Taoiseach was asked if Ireland had been “singled out” as falling short in its support.
He told reporters: “That wouldn’t have been my read of it. He was actually talking in terms of the European perspective … I wouldn’t have taken the same slant that some may be taking from it.”
He added: “I spoke to him last week and he was very strongly in praise of the Irish contribution both from a humanitarian perspective and also in terms of our clear support for Ukraine’s application to join the European Union and he thanked me personally for my own personal commitment to that.
“So I’m not going to surmise in terms of whatever particular take you would take from the use of the word almost or practically and I wouldn’t overstate that to be frank.”
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.