US President Joe Biden has commended the Irish people for taking in thousands of Ukrainian refugees, describing it as “amazing.”
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and President Biden held a virtual bilateral meeting on St Patrick’s Day after Mr Martin tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday night.
President Biden said he met Mr Martin for “seven and a half minutes” at a distance at the Ireland Funds Gala last night.
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Mr Martin was whisked away from the gala where he was due to accept a leadership award.
Mr Martin said “it is unfortunate” that he could not meet the US President in-person in the White House.
Mr Martin who also had to hold a virtual event with President Biden last year joked: “We met virtually across the Atlantic.
“This year, we're missing virtually across the road. So we're getting closer.”
President Biden told the Taoiseach “you're looking good and feeling good,” and he was looking forward to Mr Martin getting cleared as quickly as possible.
The two leaders spoke of the war in Ukraine with President Biden saying Putin’s brutality and what his troops are doing in Ukraine is “inhumane.”
President Biden praised the Taoiseach and said his leadership on the global stage has really been noticeable and impressive.
President Biden said: “I want to say one thing while the press is here before they leave and that is what Ireland is doing now, what you are doing, taking in Ukrainian refugees, speaks so loudly about your principles.
“And it's amazing.
“I want to publicly compliment you for it.”
Irish media were watching the meeting on a live stream which was broadcast by the White House.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is “feeling good” despite testing positive for Covid-19 and said “I think that reminds us of the importance of vaccines.”
He added: “I share with you our horror at the barbaric attack on the civilians of Ukraine and I want to take this opportunity to genuinely salute your leadership.
“It's firm. It's determined. It's strong.”
Mr Martin said that it’s “extremely important that we keep this unity of purpose over the coming while and Ireland stands ready to do everything we possibly can on [the] humanitarian front, and in supporting the broadest and widest sanctions possible to keep the pressure on and to get this war ended.”
The two leaders are now holding a private bilateral meeting where they are expected to discuss the Ukraine crisis, the undocumented and Covid.
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