CARDIFF, WALES – Taoiseach Micheál Martin has staunchly defended the Irish Government’s decision to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Ireland, telling reporters at the British-Irish Council in Wales that they would “make no apologies.”
His statement came in response to a blistering attack from Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, who accused Irish political leaders of living in an “illusionary world” and “whitewashing” what he called the “ultra-nationalist, neo-Nazi and dictatorial” regime of Mr. Zelensky.
Mr. Martin dismissed the criticism, noting that Ambassador Filatov has a “track record” of “attacking the Irish Government.” He reiterated Ireland’s firm stance, stating that the invasion of Ukraine was a “fundamental, brutal violation of the United Nations Charter.”
The Taoiseach directly addressed the Ambassador, urging him to “please bring back a message to the Russian government to please engage [in peace efforts] and stop this war.”
During Mr. Zelensky’s visit, Mr. Martin had pledged that Ireland would continue its support “for as long as it takes,” stating: “Your struggle is our struggle. Success be our success. We are with you for as long as it takes.” He also condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “complete indifference to the value of human life and to international law and norms.”
In a notable comment, Mr. Martin also paid tribute to the peace efforts of US President Donald Trump and the Coalition of the Willing in attempting to bring about an end to the fighting.
