Taoiseach Micheál Martin disputed reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky included Ireland in a group of countries that did not fully support Ukraine.
In a video address to EU leaders in Brussels, Zelensky issued a roll call for EU member states to express their solidarity with his country.
He said: Lithuania stands for us. Latvia stands for us. Estonia stands for us. Poland stands for us”
However, it seemed to ask some countries like France and Germany to go even further.
Zelensky ended his 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.”
When the Taoiseach arrived on the second day of the summit, he was asked if Ireland had not received enough support from Zelensky’s address.
RTE reports he said: “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.