Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked Ireland for its support in an address to the joint houses of the Oireachtas.
Zelenskyy said Ireland had not remained neutral on the disaster that Russia has inflicted on his country.
According to RTE, TDs, Senators and 45 foreign diplomats gathered in the Dáil chamber to hear the historic address by Mr. Zelensky on a day that marked six weeks since the Russian invasion began.
The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, was invited to attend, but declined.
"From the very first days, you are supporting Ukraine and this is a fact," Mr. Zelenskyy said.
"You did not doubt starting helping us, you began doing this right away and although you are a neutral country, you have not remained neutral to the disaster and to the mishaps that Russia has brought to Ukraine."
Zelenskyy, dressed in his now familiar green shirt, said he was grateful to every citizen of Ireland and for the country's support of sanctions against Russia.
"Thank you for the humanitarian and financial support extended to our country and thank you for your caring about Ukrainian people who found shelter on your land," he said.
However, according to the RTE report, Mr. Zelenskyy called for more leadership from Ireland.
"Just think about it, ten million Ukrainians have been left without shelter as of today by Russia, who had to leave their native cities because of this war. This is something we cannot come to grips with.
"They are looking to occupy and subdue all of the Ukrainian people. We want to do our best to make sure that Russia starts looking for peace and leave us alone.
"Please, I would like you to show more leadership in our anti-war coalition. I would like to ask you to convince EU partners to introduce more rigid sanctions against Russia to make sure the Russian war machine will stop.
"We have to put an end to trading with Russia. We have to cut ties of the Russian banks to the global system and cut the sources of their income from oil that they use for their weapons and killing."
Russia was targeting sea ports and food storage depots to "use hunger as a weapon" against the people of Ukraine, he told those packing the chamber.
The Ukrainian leader spoke in detail to the reported atrocities committed by Russian forces.
"I am sure your leadership can make a difference and change this. I'm sure that the whole of Europe can stop this war and bring peace and stability to east of Europe. We can not delay any longer," he said.
Mr. Zelenskyy said a new relationship between Ireland and Ukraine had been forged.
"Our mutual understanding and mutual respect is already at a level where it becomes only the question of time for us to start living in our common European house.
"Thank you for the support of the accelerated procedure to provide membership in the EU to Ukraine. With your support, it will be even faster and beneficial to both nations.
"So, let's bring our efforts together. And let's show that Ukraine and Ireland jointly can do much more than what the biggest country of the world was trying to destroy.
"I am grateful to Ireland. Slava Ukraini," he concluded.
When he ended his address Mr. Zelenskyy received a standing ovation.
