Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney in in Ukraine where he has met with top Ukrainian government while also visiting the town of Bucha, scene of widely reported atrocities by Russian forces.
Mr. Coveney paid tribute to the dead in Bucha and earlier laid flowers at a memorial wall in Kyiv..
Speaking to RTÉ Coveney said the area had been "devastated" and its population "ravaged."
He said that Ireland is "certainly ensuring that there will be an international legal infrastructure that can fully investigate all of those crimes."
Mr. Coveney, according to RTÉ, said that he was using the visit to Ukraine to show "solidarity" and highlight Ireland's efforts to help the country "in the face of Russian aggression."
He said that the visit followed an invitation from the Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Coveney held talks with Mr. Kuleba and other government officials in Kyiv.
He said Ireland had already committed over €20 million of humanitarian assistance and that Ireland strongly supported Ukraine's ambition to join the European Union.
"Ukraine will emerge from this darkness," he said.
Mr. Coveney said the killing of civilians by Russian forces invading Ukraine were likely to be war crimes.
The RTÉ report noted that the Coveney visit to the capital was the first by any foreign minister on the UN Security Council since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. Ireland is currently a rotating member of the Security Council.
Said Coveney: "We don't know yet how many Ukrainian citizens have lost their lives due to this Russian aggression yet, but we know it's many and we know that the brutality and the violence, not only against Ukrainian soldiers, but also against Ukrainian civilians, women and children.
"It is something that is likely to be determined as war crimes in the future."
Coveney had travelled to Kyiv overnight by secure military transport and was accompanied by Ireland's ambassador to Ukraine.
The Irish Times reported Coveney as indicating that would continue to use its position on the United Nations Security Council to call for an end to the “madness” of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
He reiterated that Ireland was “not neutral on this war or on this conflict” stating that he brought a message of solidarity from the Irish Government and the Irish people.
“I am also very conscious at this time that Ukraine doesn’t need sympathy, Ukraine needs action and strong practical support,” Coveney said.
“We also believe even the most powerful countries in the world are accountable to international law,” he told the press conference, which was recorded in a secure location in the Ukrainian capital.
“We will strongly advocate that your journey to EU membership happens as rapidly as possible,” he added.
Ireland had accepted around 23,000 Ukrainian refugees, and as a country was “doing everything we can to make our home your home,” he said.
Ukrainian foreign minister Kuleba said Ireland had been among the first countries to extend “the hand of support” to people from Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
