Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed profound gratitude for Ireland's steadfast support during a landmark official visit to Dublin on Tuesday, 2 December 2025. The trip, the first of its kind by a Ukrainian head of state, was marked by the announcement of a significant new aid package from the Irish Government.
New Funding and a Strategic Partnership
The Irish Government confirmed a fresh allocation of 100 million euros in non-lethal aid for Ukraine to coincide with President Zelensky's arrival. This latest commitment brings the total sum of non-lethal military assistance provided by Ireland this year to 200 million euros.
The funding is a core component of a new bilateral agreement, the 2030 Roadmap on Ukraine-Ireland Partnership, which was formally signed by President Zelensky and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday afternoon. This document builds upon a previous agreement signed in Kyiv last year.
The roadmap outlines Ireland's immediate commitments, which include 25 million euros dedicated to restoring and protecting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. It also establishes a scheme to support training and other initiatives aligned with Ukraine's path towards accession to the European Union.
A Warm Welcome and Words of Thanks
President Zelensky's itinerary began with a courtesy call to Ireland's newly inaugurated President, Catherine Connolly, at Áras an Uachtaráin. He and First Lady Olena Zelenska were greeted warmly on a red carpet at the presidential residence.
In a heartfelt note in the visitor's book, President Zelensky wrote, "On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland's steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression." He specifically thanked Ireland for its "generosity in providing temporary shelter to displaced Ukrainians" and affirmed Ukraine's commitment to deepening cooperation for a just peace.
Later, at Government Buildings, a guard of honour was held for the Ukrainian leader. Following the playing of both national anthems, he inspected Irish troops before his meeting with Taoiseach Martin, who praised Zelensky's "immense bravery" and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The historic visit included several key events designed to fortify relations between the two nations. President Zelensky delivered an address to a joint sitting of the Irish parliament at Leinster House, introduced by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.
He was also due to attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum with Tánaiste Simon Harris and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee. Furthermore, Minister McEntee and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha were scheduled to hold the inaugural meeting of the Ukraine-Ireland Strategic Dialogue, a new forum established under the partnership roadmap.
The Dublin stop followed discussions in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding peace efforts to end Europe's largest armed conflict since the Second World War. Zelensky noted that a revised US-authored peace plan "looks better" but identified the issue of Ukrainian territorial control as the most complex topic under negotiation.
This visit echoes President Zelensky's historic virtual address to the Oireachtas in April 2022, where he stated Ireland had not remained neutral to the disaster inflicted by Russia.
