Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Dublin for a historic first official visit by a Ukrainian head of state to Ireland. The trip, occurring against the backdrop of intensified international efforts to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Russia, includes high-level meetings and a landmark address to the Irish parliament.
A Critical Welcome at a Pivotal Moment
Taoiseach Micheál Martin personally greeted President Zelensky on the tarmac at Dublin Airport on Monday night, underscoring the significance of the occasion. Mr Martin stated that the Ukrainian leader's arrival comes at a "critical time" for Ukraine, and he looks forward to reaffirming Ireland's steadfast support for the Ukrainian people for as long as necessary.
The visit follows immediately on from President Zelensky's discussions in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on ending Europe's largest armed conflict since the Second World War. The Dublin leg forms a key part of this diplomatic push.
An Agenda of Solidarity and Strategy
The official schedule for Tuesday, 2 December 2025, is packed with symbolic and substantive engagements. President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska began the day with a courtesy call to Ireland's new President, Catherine Connolly, at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park.
Subsequently, the Ukrainian leader is set to attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum alongside Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Premier) Simon Harris. This highlights the economic dimension of bilateral support. The centrepiece of the visit will be President Zelensky's address to assembled parliamentarians at Leinster House on Tuesday afternoon, where he will be introduced by Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Verona Murphy.
This marks a poignant full-circle moment; in April 2022, Zelensky addressed the Irish Parliament via videolink, declaring that Ireland had not been neutral to the "disaster" Russia inflicted on Ukraine.
The Search for a Viable Peace Path
The diplomatic context of this European tour is dominated by evolving peace negotiations. Ukrainian and American officials have been working to revise a US-authored peace proposal. This plan was originally developed in talks between Washington and Moscow but faced criticism for being overly favourable to Russian demands.
Speaking in Paris on Monday, President Zelensky offered a cautiously optimistic note, stating the revised peace plan "looks better". However, he identified the issue of Ukraine's sovereign control over its territories as "the most complicated" topic under discussion, pointing to the significant hurdles that remain before any lasting agreement can be reached.
President Zelensky's journey to Dublin, therefore, serves a dual purpose: it is both a profound gesture of gratitude for Ireland's political and humanitarian support, and a strategic move to maintain international focus and solidarity at a delicate juncture in the peace process.
