Ukraine war: Coveney visits Kyiv to meet Ukrainian government

Simon Coveney appears at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba.

Simon Coveney appeared at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney is meeting Ukrainian officials in Kyiv to discuss Ireland's continued support for the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Coveney said the brutality and violence shown by Russian forces are likely to be war crimes.

"Even though Ireland is a militarily neutral country, let me be clear, we are not neutral on this war," he added.

"We are also not neutral on the future of your country."

Ireland has a long policy of military neutrality going back to World War Two and is not a member of Nato.

However, it has politically supported Ukraine and Mr Coveney pledged to use Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council to bring the "madness" to an end.

Mr Coveney is planning to visit several areas across the country that have been affected by the invasion.

He is also meeting Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and defence minister Oleksii Reznikov.

His discussions will include how Ireland can continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

They will also focus on how Ireland can assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status, and to bring forward further EU sanctions on Russia.

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Ireland has provided €20m (£16.6m) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries.

A further €33m (£27.4m) has been provided in non-lethal assistance through the European Peace Facility for the Ukrainian military.

Mr Coveney was collected at the Polish border by Ukraine Special Forces, who took him to a secure location in the capital.

He is accompanied by Ireland's ambassador to Ukraine, Therese Healy, a political adviser and a protection team.

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