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UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy is to virtually address all third level students in Ireland on Friday.
Following Zelenskyy’s speech, students will have the opportunity to engage directly with the president in a Q&A session.
Speaking in September, Minister for Further Education Simon Harris said Zelenskyy will virtually address “all our college students on all college campuses”.
“This is really important. It’s so important that the next generation hear directly from a president of a country that is experiencing an illegal invasion, but also a president that is standing up for democracy, freedom and European values,” Harris said.
Zelenskyy addressed the joint Houses of the Oireachtas in April this year.
The president opened his address at the time by describing Russia’s actions against Ukraine, saying had been destroying things that are sustaining people’s livelihoods like storage facilities for food, fuel and agricultural equipment, as well as putting mines in fields.
The voice of a translator boomed over the speakers in the Dáil chamber as the president directly referenced Ireland’s response to the invasion.
“Even though you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the disaster and mishaps Russia has brought to Ukraine,” he said.
“I am grateful to you. To every citizen in Ireland, thank you for supporting sanctions against Russia.”
He also thanked the Irish people for their humanitarian donations and thanked Ireland for “caring for Ukrainian people who found shelter on your land”.
With reporting by Christina Finn
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Hard to know where he gets the time for all of these appearances he does. Must have some pr agent.
@Marcus Suridius: I seem to have triggered some emotion within you by harmlessly commenting on how busy the man seems.
Now I’m off to address my employment situation.
@Marcus Suridius: People actually get paid for concern trolling. Just saying. Not pointing fingers at Jed though :)
@JedBartlett: I get the same from them Jed. They cant have an adult debate, they resort to name calling.
Why???? Surely he has more important things to he doing. He’s loving the limelight.
@Andrew Lavelle: It’s PR, it’s what war time presidents and political figures do – garner support, financial support and keep your cause alive, every good leader would do the same. He’s not going to be much use trying to enforce or drive through policy or sit into a tank, he is following the best course of action, it’s text book. Targeting students who will in turn lobby their respective governments to increase their support.
@Andrew Lavelle: From the G20 to GMIT, there isn’t a gig this man will turn down. Awareness don’t ya know
@The Divils Avocado: “Textbook” is it? I don’t remember any other president at war addressing Irish third level students. Must be a brand new textbook.
@JedBartlett: not third level students Jed, you know that, it’s just your style of refuting comments. but to clarify, for you, politicians from day dot have always went to other countries in their time of need, even our own went to the US for support before our own independence from the UK. Churchill called on the US for war planes and funding during WW2 . Further back to napoleons time, they always went to other countries to plead there case for funding. Not third level students, but it’s moving with the times.
I cant wait for this war to be over. Unlike some individuals here.
Why???
Are you sure he is a real president of the war-torn country ?
Is it on money laundering?
If this keep going on that Generation will find themselfs in the Killing Fields of Europe
like in last Wars
have your say