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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has played down his US counterpart Joe Biden’s gaffe during the Nato summit as a mere “mistake” after arriving in Ireland.
Mr Biden accidentally introduced the Ukrainian leader as “president Putin” during the final day of the Nato summit before quickly correcting himself. At the time, Mr Zelensky responded: “I am better.”
Speaking to reporters from Shannon Airport, Co Clare, Mr Zelensky described the gaffe as a simple “mistake”.
“ I think the United States gave a lot of support to Ukrainians,” he said. “We can forget some mistakes, I think so.”
He was later pictured embracing Irish taoiseach Simon Harris as the pair held a meeting inside the airport.
It comes as Poland said it was considering Kyiv’s proposal to shoot down Russian missiles flying towards Polish territory while they are still in Ukraine’s airspace.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington that they were considering such a move but only with the approval of Nato.
Warsaw, an alliance member, frequently scrambles fighter jets to protect Polish airspace as Russian forces launch large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine.
Poland considering Kyiv proposal to help down Russian missiles in Ukrainian airspace
Poland is considering a proposal from Kyiv to shoot down Russian missiles flying towards Polish territory while they are still in Ukraine’s airspace.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington that they were considering such a move but only with the approval of Nato.
Warsaw, an alliance member, frequently scrambles fighter jets to protect Polish airspace as Russian forces launch large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine.
“At this stage, this is an idea. What our agreement said is we will explore this idea,” Mr Sikorski said, calling the potential move self-defence.
Last year, a Russian missile entered Polish airspace, putting the country’s defenses on high alert. In another incident on Nov. 15, 2022, a missile flew onto Polish territory during a Russian mass attack, killing two civilians. Polish investigators later concluded that it was a stray Ukrainian anti-air projectile launched to intercept the Russian attack.
Tom Watling13 July 2024 14:45
Zelensky responds to Biden gaffe
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to US president Joe Biden calling him “Putin” during the Nato summit.
After arriving in Ireland, Mr Zelensky was asked to speak about the gaffe for the first time since it happened on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters from Shannon Airport, Co Clare, Mr Zelensky described the gaffe as a simple “mistake”.
“ I think the United States gave a lot of support to Ukrainians,” he said. “We can forget some mistakes, I think so.”
Tom Watling13 July 2024 14:37
Some background on Ireland’s relationship with Ukraine
Below we have some background on Ireland’s relationship with Ukraine as president Volodymyr Zelensky holds talks with taoiseach Simon Harris.
Ireland’s ability to support Ukraine militarily is limited but their armed forces have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment.
The country has also provided €250 million (£210m) in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, while they have welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
The two leaders have met before, speaking last month on the sidelines of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland.
Ireland is also a member of Ukraine’s International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children (ICRUC), co-chaired by Labour Baroness Helena Kennedy, which focuses on how to return the roughly 19,000 children forcibly deported by Russia to the occupied territories and mainland Russia.
Tom Watling13 July 2024 14:15
Zelensky and Harris hold meeting in Ireland - images
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Irish taoiseach Simon Harris have been pictured holding a bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport, Co Clare.
Mr Zelensky was also pictured being greeted by Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko.
Asked by reporters for his message to Ireland upon arrival, Mr Zelensky said: “First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.”
Tom Watling13 July 2024 14:00
We have some more details from Zelensky’s trip to Ireland
Irish taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed his condolences to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for those who lost their lives during the widespread Russian bombing of Ukraine on Monday, which destroyed, among other areas, the country’s largest children’s hospital.
After Mr Zelensky touched down, Mr Harris also expressed the country’s full support for Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership and offered further assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began.
He confirmed Ireland’s membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children.
The pair were seen embracing after Mr Zelensky’s arrival.
Tom Watling13 July 2024 13:53
Footage shows Zelensky arriving in Ireland
Footage has shown the moment Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at at Shannon Airport, Co Clare
Tom Watling13 July 2024 13:42
Labour aims to make Britain the leading European nation in Nato – but will Trump care?
Tom Watling13 July 2024 13:30
Zelensky arrives in Ireland
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has just arrived in Ireland, photos show.
He will meet with the Irish taoiseach, Simon Harris.
We will have more on Mr Zelensky’s visit later.
Tom Watling13 July 2024 12:59
China lashes out after Nato says it is ‘decisive enabler’ of Ukraine war
Tom Watling13 July 2024 12:30
Belarus jets scrambled after Russian drone veers off course towards Minsk
Belarus was forced to launch a fighter jet and attack helicopter to intercept a misfired Russian drone intended for Ukraine last night, it has been revealed.
The Russia-launched “Shahed” drone flew some 217 miles in Belarusian airspace, at one point heading close to the capital Minsk, after it veered off course in Ukraine. Ukraine shares its northern border with the south of Belarus.
Sources confirmed that the Belarusian Mig-24 helicopter and Su-30 fighter jet were indeed scrambled to respond to the drone threat.
You can read more details on the incident below.
Tom Watling13 July 2024 12:00