'An honour' - President Zelensky presents Tánaiste with award for services to Ukraine

Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has presented the Tánaiste with a prestigious award for services to Ukraine. 

Micheál Martin received the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award today (October 2) while in Kyiv for an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. 

He joined other EU foreign ministers in the war-torn country to discuss how to strengthen and advance the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in direct consultation with the Ukrainian government. 

Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award reportedly receive the honour for their "distinguished services to the state and people of the Ukrainian nation" in the fields of state building, strengthening the international prestige of Ukraine, development of economy, science, education, culture, art, health care, and for outstanding charitable, humanistic and public activities. 

Posting about receiving the award on X (formerly Twitter), the Tánaiste said, "An honour to receive the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award from ⁦[President Zelensky] in Kyiv. Ireland and the EU remain steadfast in solidarity with Ukraine and its people." 

Earlier today, he said he was "pleased to be in Kyiv" and reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to continue providing financial contributions to Ukraine. 

He stated, "A powerful symbol to have the EU’s Foreign Ministers here to stand with the people of Ukraine. We will discuss Ukraine’s EU pathway, and ongoing supports. Ireland recently announced €23m in humanitarian aid, part of €210m in total support so far." 

Martin joins the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Mark Daly, who also received an Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award (II degree) in 2022. 

Senator Daly, who was Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann at the time, was one of 12 speakers of parliamentary assemblies to be granted the honour by President Zelensky “for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a significant contribution to the popularization of the Ukrainian state in the world". 

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the United States House of Representatives was also honoured. 

Speaking at the time, he said, "As Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, it is a great honour to be awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, II Degree by President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The Irish people and the Houses of the Oireachtas have been steadfast in their support of Ukraine and its people since the brutal and illegal invasion by Russia eight months ago.

"During my visit to Kyiv with the Ceann Comhairle in May when we met President Zelenskyy and saw for ourselves the devastating impact of Russia’s horrific actions in Ukraine, I told him that the Irish people stood with Ukraine. Ireland, our partners in the European Union and our friends in the United States and the United Kingdom are unyielding in our support for democracy and the rule of law over tyranny and brutality."