Zelensky visits Ireland as Dublin assumes EU Council presidency

Ireland took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026, with an opening ceremony at Dublin Castle. Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the Irish presidency will focus on competitiveness, values and security and will host hundreds of EU meetings over six months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the ceremony, thanked Ireland for its support since the Russian invasion and said Ireland has stood by Ukraine “from the very beginning”. He urged the EU to open the remaining five negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s accession, telling European Council President António Costa, “We can open five more clusters, Antonio. What do you think?” and adding that “if there are questions, there will be answers”.

Zelensky highlighted bilateral friction with Poland and Hungary over the naming of a UPA‑related military unit and pleaded for their backing, while also calling for new sanctions on companies in Europe that are owned or controlled by Russian oligarchs, specifically naming the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick as a supplier of materials used for Russian weapons. Irish officials said an investigation into the refinery’s exports to Russia is nearing completion and findings will be sent to the European Commission.

The visit underscored Ukraine’s drive to accelerate its EU membership process amid the broader security challenges facing the bloc.