President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Ireland for supporting the special fast-track procedure for granting Ukraine's membership in the European Union and invited her to participate in the restoration of Kherson region.

"From the first days of the Russian invasion, you have been on the side of good, on the side of freedom, on the side of Ukraine. You didn't hesitate to help us. You immediately began to help. And although you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the grief and suffering that Russia has brought to the Ukrainians. I am grateful to all of you for this," he said on Wednesday, speaking via video link to Parliament and the people of Ireland.

"I am grateful to the leadership of your state, and to every Irishman. Grateful for supporting sanctions against Russia. I am grateful for the humanitarian and financial aid provided to us. Grateful for your special concern for our people who have sought and found safety on the land of Ireland," the President said, adding: "Our mutual understanding and mutual respect is already at a level where it can be said that it is only a matter of time before we live together in our common European home. I am grateful to you for supporting the special fast-track procedure for granting Ukraine's membership in the European Union. With your leadership, it will be even faster and more profitable for both our nations."

Noting that "we should already think about the restoration of our country, about the resumption after the war," Zelensky invited Ireland to participate in the restoration of Ukraine, "for example, in our Kherson region."