The criticism of Ireland by Ukraine’s President Zelenksky has sparked anger on social media after it was reported that he seemed to single out Ireland for “lagging in support” for his country, despite assurances that this small country would take 200,000 Ukrainian refugees and had committed millions to aid for the country.
“Ukraine’s President Zelenkskiy has singled out Ireland for lagging in support for his country. In a video call to EU leaders he thanked them one by one for ‘standing with Ukraine’, but when he came to Ireland he said “well, almost” ,” reported Naomi O ‘Reilly
Ukraine's President Zelenkskiy has singled out Ireland for lagging in support for his country.
In a video call to EU leaders he thanked them one by one for 'standing with Ukraine', but when he came to Ireland he said "well, almost"https://t.co/Nlr6lmKea2— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) March 25, 2022
Observers seemed taken aback at the criticism, with some believing that Zelenksky was pushing for Ireland to take military action, against our tradition of neutrality.
Journalist Ita O’Kelly said “is it his place to comment on internal matters pertaining to how the Irish State conducts business? We are a neutral country. And that is entirely our own business IMV.”
Commentator Robert Burke said: ‘We should abandon our neutrality because the President of Ukraine said our political, financial, and humanitarian support only qualifies Ireland as almost supporting them. Eh no you’re alright thanks.”
‘We should abandon our neutrality because the President of Ukraine said our political, financial, and humanitarian support only qualifies Ireland as almost supporting them.’
Eh no you’re alright thanks.
— Robert Burke (@robertburke84) March 25, 2022
One response he received was: “I’ve never seen passive aggressive used during an armed conflict but Zelensky has achieved it.”
“The actual cheek of #Zelensky singling out Ireland at his EU speech. This country have flung open our doors to Ukrainian refugees, given them access to all social protections and iterated there is no limit on the amount of people to enter the country as well as sending millions. Of Euro in aid to help the people still stuck in Ukraine. Let’s not forget the Ukraine was ranked amongst the three most corrupt countries in the world not long ago and now this guy is doing a world tour like he’s the second coming,” wrote another on Twitter.
The actual cheek of #Zelensky singling out Ireland at his EU speech. This country have flung open our doors to Ukrainian refugees, given them access to all social protections and iterated there is no limit on the amount of people to enter the country as well as sending millions..
— Irish Dan (@CryptonomicsD) March 25, 2022
“Zelensky criticises Ireland after we commit €20 million – and we are a small country without fighter jets etc. Our well-documented generosity seems not to be appreciated. Disappointing,” one woman said.
Zelensky criticises Ireland after we commit €20 million – and we are a small country without fighter jets etc…
Our well-documented generosity seems not to be appreciated.
Disappointing.— Laura Kelly (@Laura_Kelly19) March 25, 2022
One man wondered exactly what the Ukrainian President was seeking, saying: “think it’s the lack of lethal aid he means. We have javelins, apparently, that we won’t send to Ukraine.”
Think it’s the lack of lethal aid he means. We have javelins apparently that we won’t send to Ukraine
— Eoin MacSuibhne (@seal_curious) March 25, 2022
James Sugrue said: “May I remind Mr. Zelensky, Ireland as a small country is doing its upmost to accommodate the refugees. Please don’t cajole a neutral country into supplying arms. We support the cause by making aid available, not bullets!
May I remind Mr. Zelensky, Ireland as a small country is doing its upmost to accommodate the refugees. Please don’t cajole a neutral country into supplying arms. We support the cause by making aid available, not bullets!
— James Sugrue (@JamesSugrue17) March 25, 2022
Journalist Ewan MacKenna said that the ego of the Ukrainian President was “out of control”.
“There’ll be fear of saying it because of suffering of his people but ego of Zelenskyy out of control. Ireland is taking 200,000 refugees. And he has the gall to criticise our stance on their lack of EU entry. He wants to dictate policy of others but not others to dictate theirs?” he posted to Twitter.
There'll be fear of saying it because of suffering of his people but ego of Zelenskyy out of control. Ireland is taking 200,000 refugees. And he has the gall to criticise our stance on their lack of EU entry. He wants to dictate policy of others but not others to dictate theirs?
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) March 25, 2022
Another response had harsh words for the Ukrainian President: “Zelenksky says a big “fcuk you” to Ireland while he continues to refuse to negotiate and an end to the war that is killing his own citizens and destroying his own country.”
Zelensky says a big "fcuk you" to Ireland while he continues to refuse to negotiate and an end to the war that is killing his own citizens and destroying his own country https://t.co/w5dExlmckp
— David Moloney 🍉🐝 (@cto_maverick) March 25, 2022
However, some commentators said Zelenksky was doing what he needed to do to get a response.
“Zelenksy is clever. He knows that Ireland *lives* for the approval of other countries. Rather than proudly defend our position, public opinion will doff the cap, apologise that we just aren’t good enough and agree to do whatever more he and the #EU directs us to do,” said one.
Another woman said: “He’s fighting an amoral super power on his own. I think he’s entitled to cut past the niceties. Neutrality is a deeply controversial position.”
https://twitter.com/annmcnam/status/1507294119885946880
While some conjectured that the Irish Times may have been incorrect in their translations of Mr Zelenksky’s words, their correspondent insisted that her work had been accurate.
“According to the official English translation provided by the Ukrainian president’s office, after repeatedly naming various countries that ‘stand for us’, Zelenskiy said ‘Ireland – well, almost’,” she wrote.
“Calling out countries publicly is a tactic Mr Zelenskiy has used repeatedly since the outbreak of the invasion to name and shame leaders into open support,” she added.