Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has travelled to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, to hold talks with the Ukrainian government about how Ireland can continue to support the war-torn country.
Minister Coveney's visit to Kyiv is the first by any foreign minister on the United Nations Security Council since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began.
He travelled overnight by secure military transport and is accompanied by Ireland's ambassador to Ukraine.
READ MORE: Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees to be given camp beds in Irish sports halls over Easter
He will meet his two counterparts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba and Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov and will visit areas directly affected by the Russian invasion.
His discussions with the Ukrainian government will focus on how Ireland can continue to provide political, security and humanitarian support to Ukraine, assist Ukraine in its application for EU candidate status, take forward further EU sanctions on Russia and hold Russia to account for its brutal and unjustified invasion.
Minister Coveney plans to report back to the UN Security Council where Ireland holds a seat.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Paschal Donohoe said Ireland has a commitment which we must rise to and will deliver to take our share of the refugees that are fleeing a war.
He said: "We are, fortunately, in a position to have an economy due to the decisions that we have made in the past, where we are able to over time ensure that we can meet the economic costs of those who will be able to move to our country."
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