Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Dáil that he hopes those who left Ukraine because of the war with Russia will come back once the conflict ends.
Addressing the Dáil during his State visit to Ireland today, he thanked the people of Ireland “for providing home and protection to our people, when they needed it most when the war broke out at home.”
“While some societies’ fatigue about the war is growing, we do not feel that your voice, the voice of Ireland, is turning quieter. Thank you,” he said.
He said that it was his desire to see Ukrainian people who were “forced” to flee return back to their homeland once the war is over.
“We do not lose faith that the day will come when we will welcome all our friends to Ukraine in peace, and when we will welcome home all our people who were forced [to flee] back to a peaceful Ukraine back home,” he said, adding: “And we are working to make it real.”
Between March 2022 and February 2025, there were 112,000 PPS numbers given to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP) from Ukraine, according to the CSO. However, about 29% of these PPS numbers were inactive, meaning those individuals had likely left the State.
Among those arriving, at one point around 46% were women aged 20 and over, 24% were men in the same age group, and the remaining 30% were under 20.
According to a survey by charity Ukrainian Action in January of 2024, 53% of Ukrainians surveyed said they wanted to live in Ireland on a permanent basis.
By mid-last year, a total of over 6.1 million Ukrainians total had fled across Europe.
In his remarks, Zelensky also pressed Ireland to support efforts for a tribunal addressing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, saying it should “take an active role.”
“The aggressor must be held accountable for what was done,” he said.
He finished his speech by saying: “This has gone on far too long to simply close our eyes and turn the page on Russia.
“We need real peace. Never lose your faith in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine.”
This morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee brought to Cabinet a proposal that Ireland would support a new claims commission that would “hold Russia accountable” for the Ukraine war financially, attempting to force them to pay for damages.
“Russia will pay for it,” she added.