Zelensky meets Irish prime minister ahead of Washington visit

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Feb. 27 at Shannon International Airport in County Clare, Ireland.

Zelensky's visit to Ireland comes before his planned talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 28, where he is expected to sign a minerals agreement with the U.S.

The president thanked Ireland for its support of Ukrainians who fled Russia's full-scale invasion. The country has taken in nearly 100,000 Ukrainian refugees since 2022.

Zelensky said the discussions covered security guarantees and cooperation on Ukraine's path to the EU, adding that Kyiv appreciates Ireland's support in all these areas.

"We also addressed Ireland's participation in the Demining Coalition and EU training missions, as well as non-lethal security assistance that will help save lives," Zelensky added.

Speaking after the meeting, Martin said Zelensky was "very thankful to the people of Ireland for our sustained support for the people of Ukraine."

"We discussed how, together with the EU, we can advance a just, sustainable, and durable peace in Ukraine," Martin added.

While Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality and is not a NATO member, Dublin has provided over 380 million euros ($420 million) in humanitarian, economic, and non-lethal defense support to Ukraine.

US, Russia hold next round of talks in Turkey focused on embassy work

A Russian delegation arrived at the residency of the U.S. Consul General in Istanbul, starting the second round of Russian-U.S. talks, the state news agency TASS reported on Feb. 27.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek