The Irish taoiseach – or prime minister – Simon Harris is in Kyiv today as Ireland prepares to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine.
Mr Harris, who arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday morning, will sign a joint agreement with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on support and co-operation during a bilateral meeting in the Ukrainian capital.
The Irish leader will visit areas bombed by Russia and also meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Mr Harris said: “I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe.”
The taoiseach will also announce €43m (£36m) in aid to Ukraine – the majority of which will provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine’s longer-term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.
The latest package will take Ireland’s total funding to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than €380m (£320m), including about €130m (£110m) in stabilisation and humanitarian support.
As part of a policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not provide what it characterises as lethal aid to Ukraine, including weapons.
However, the state has provided €250m (£210m) in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility and has welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
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