Zelenskyy addresses Oireachtas: "From the very first day, Ireland has supported Ukrainians"

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the Oireachtas this morning, thanking the Irish people for their support in the battle against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and pushing for harder sanctions in the aftermath to the murderous barbarism of which the Russian military have been guilty in Bucha.

Addressing the Irish government via video link, Zelenskyy said that since the "very first days" Ireland has supported Ukraine.

“People of Ireland, from the very first day you have supported us… Although you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the disaster that Russia has brought Ukraine. I am grateful to every citizen of Ireland.

"Thank you for supporting sanctions, thank you for the humanitarian and financial support extended to my country and thank you for your caring about Ukrainian people who have found shelter in your land.

"Let's bring our efforts together, and let's show that Ukraine and Ireland jointly can do much more than the biggest country in the world was trying to destroy."

Zelenskyy calls on Ireland to push businesses to do more to enforce sanctions, and stated that some European countries still need to be convinced to abandon Russian oil and other supplies – the revenue from which is known to be funding Putin's army.

“They’re still looking forward to subduing and occupying all of the Ukrainian people. We want to do our best to make sure that Russia will start looking for peace and leave us alone.

"I would like to ask you to show more leadership... to convince EU partners to introduce even more rigid sanctions against Russia that would really make sure that the Russian war machine is stopped and we have to put an end to trading with Russia.

“The longer this continues, the worse the consequences,” the President added, stoic.

Zelenskyy claimed that Russia is using hunger as a weapon against Ukraine and “as an instrument of domination.” He said there is no single house left intact in the port city of Mariupol, which currently has 150,000 civilians trapped in a humanitarian disaster.

In the 42 days of "all-out Russian war", at least 167 children have been killed – this before the full extent of the atrocities being committed in Mariupol and the other areas where fighting is going on is known.

"We are with Ukraine," Micheál Martin responded. The Taoiseach said Ireland will support the strongest of sanctions against Russia and will also back Ukraine's EU membership application.

Addressing those who have arrived in Ireland, Martin said "I hope you find safe harbour and friendship for as long as you need it."

Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghaíl said senators and TDs had gathered "to hear form a friend and ally" whose country is "under monstrous, bloody and vicious attack."

Zelenskyy concluded by stating that Ireland-Ukraine relations have turned a new page. As Ukrainian-Irish supporters gathered outside Leinster House, he thanked Ireland for its support for fast-tracked application for membership of the EU.

Tears are wiped and the schoolkids lead the crowd in the Ukrainian national anthem. pic.twitter.com/3YvnTtImUE

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) April 6, 2022

Yesterday, Zelenskyy asked that the UN Security Council expel Russia or dissolve itself following the atrocities committed in Bucha, Irpin, Sumy, Mariupol and elsewhere.

"They inflame wars and deliberately lead them in such a way that to kill as many regular civilians and cities. Civilians were crushed by tanks, women were raped and killed in front of their children. What Russian military did in Bucha is cruelty. The UN Charter has been violated."

READ: Ukraine Invasion - Steven ‘Sehii’ Marious: "Ukrainian people would rather die fighting for their land than live in captivity"