“We hold your children in the highest regard. I am very proud of them. Every time I present awards in Ukraine and see the families, the mothers and fathers, I feel this pain. And today, we want to share it with you. We are very proud of your strong people. They are heroes – all of them – true heroes. And not just for our country,” the President emphasized.

Key topics of discussion included the importance of unity, joint steps with partners to advance peace, and Ukraine’s European integration track.

During her visit to Ireland, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with representatives of JIGSAW, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, and the wife of the Taoiseach of Ireland, Mary Martin, took part in the opening of a Ukrainian bookshelf at the Library of Trinity College – the largest university library in Ireland.

“Today, Ukraine is closer to peace than ever before. And there is a real chance. But we must seize this chance fully – the whole world, not just one or another powerful country,” the Head of State stated.

Our peoples – Ukrainian and Irish – are among the few in Europe who spent centuries fighting for the right to remain themselves. And now, for nearly 4 years of Russia’s full-scale war against our people, our children – the most devastating war for freedom in Europe since World War Two – Ireland has stood firmly and clearly for our independence, and for a just end to this war.

Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, and representatives of Irish universities. During the meeting, representatives of the University College Cork and the University of Galway signed memorandums of understanding to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies.