Zelenskiy takes aim at Russian-owned companies in Europe during Dublin address

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticised Russian-owned companies in Europe during his address at the ceremony marking the start of Ireland’s EU presidency.

Addressing the crowd at Dublin Castle on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president first thanked Ireland for standing by his country and its people from the “very beginning” of the Russian invasion.

He touched on a number of deals and agreements between Ukraine and the EU and its member states, including his belief that, during Ireland’s presidency, “we can make real progress on the drone deal that Ukraine has proposed to the European Union”.

He also discussed steps that would “make it harder for Russia to continue such war” and called for new European sanctions to tackle Russian shadow fleets and “the tools Putin still relies on to keep this war going”.

He said these included “companies in European countries whose only purpose is to work for Russia”.

“Unfortunately, there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs,” he said.

“They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials, even now.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland earlier in the day, Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejected claims that Ireland’s support for Ukraine had been damaged by the export of alumina from the Limerick-based Aughinish Alumina refinery, amid reports that these exports were being used to supply Russian arms manufacturers.

“I don’t accept that our support has been damaged in that respect,” he said.

“Europe makes two proposals, the European Commission, in respect of sanctions. We’ve been strong supporters of all sanction packages, up to 20 sanctions packages.

“We do not want to, in any shape or form, be supporting the Russian war machine.”

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held a meeting, and afterwards, a press conference.

Martin was asked if he could assure president Zelenskiy that steps would be taken to prevent further shipments of alumina from Ireland to Russia.

The Taoiseach said the two men had “a good discussion on that specific issue” and an investigation is nearing completion to get “the full facts surrounding the entirety of this issue”.

Following the investigation, he said, the matter will be taken up with the European Commission.

Speaking through a translator, the Ukrainian president said he had engaged “very substantially” with Martin on the issue.

He said he is “grateful” Ireland is “conducting the relevant investigations”.

“We very much hope for a positive result for us in this investigation,” he added, “and we do hope that we will not have to wait for it for months”.

Zelenskiy also used his speech to directly address the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, with a plea to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession process.

Negotiations are structured in clusters and chapters and during his speech, Mr Zelensky quipped: “We can open five more clusters, Antonio. What do you think?”

Costa could be heard replying “maybe” from the crowd.

In the press conference, the potential for Ukraine’s current relationship with Hungary and Poland to create obstacles for the country joining the EU was raised.

Martin acknowledged: “It is not the first time that bilateral issues have been problematic for accession.”

“We’ve had it at different times in the western Balkans, for example, and our view and our task is to make sure that we overcome those challenges.

Ireland’s aid to Ukraine was also brought up during the press conference.

In his opening remarks, Martin pledged “steadfast support” for Ukraine, adding “we will work to ensure you continue to receive the political, financial and military support Ukraine needs”.

Asked if the reference to military support was “overstepping the line of neutrality”, he responded that Ireland’s aid “so far has been non-lethal” but said he made the remarks in the “context of the EU presidency” adding “Europe will do everything it possibly can”.

He continued: “Ireland’s aid remains non-lethal and humanitarian” and he said Ireland, Denmark and Lithuania have jointly procured and sent a range of mining and defensive equipment to Ukraine “paid for through Irish funds”.

President Zelenskiy was also asked why an offer of combat vehicles by Ireland was refused.

He said “we are thankful… for everything”, but said the vehicles needed renovation and he was advised the funds to do so would be better spent on drones.

Zelenskiy’s visit to Ireland started at Wednesday lunchtime when he landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, where he was greeted by Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris.

He then travelled to Dublin for the formal ceremony, during which the Ukrainian flag was raised, as the country’s national anthem was played

The war in Ukraine was a recurring topic during many of the speeches on Wednesday.

The Taoiseach said: “We will stand unswervingly by the people of Ukraine, inspired by their courage and determined to ensure that they get the peace and justice they deserve.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris told Ukraine’s president: “Your courage, your resilience, and that of all Ukrainian people will be a guiding inspiration to us here for the next six months.”

He continued: “Throughout all the work Ireland does as our presidency takes hold, we will seek to strengthen our solidarity with Ukraine and stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.”

It is exactly seven months since the Ukrainian president’s state visit to Ireland, when he met President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin and delivered a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas.

Following the trip, gardaí investigated reports of drones over the Irish Sea around the time Zelenskiy’s plane landed at Dublin Airport.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee later said counter-drone technology would be in place during Ireland’s EU presidency.