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17th March 2022
06:05pm GMT

The Taoiseach once again affirmed Ireland's endorsement of the strictest possible sanctions on Russia as the world seeks to end the "immoral and unjustifiable war".
Biden opened the meeting by apologising for the Taoiseach's "inconvenience", noting that the pair only spent seven-and-a-half minutes in one another's company on Wednesday.
"Your leadership on the global stage has been notable and impressive," Biden told Martin.
"You are now a member, temporarily as you are, of the [UN] Security Council, your leadership on the global stage within the EU as well, and your condemnation of Putin's aggression and your support of the sanctions.
"It's costing Ireland," Biden added.
"But as usual you're basing it on principle and the moral standing of a country."
Biden also reiterated his administration's "unequivocal support" for the Good Friday Agreement.
"Too much blood, sweat and tears have been shed to get that done and this is no time to change it," he said.
In response, the Taoiseach noted that last year the two met virtually across the Atlantic.
"This year we're meeting virtually across the road – so we're getting closer," he joked while noting that he's feeling in good health, pointing to the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine.
"I share with you our horror at the barbaric attack on the civilians of Ukraine," the Taoiseach stated.
"I want to take this opportunity to genuinely salute your leadership – it's firm, it's determined, it's strong, it's measured in the teeth of this crisis, particularly your capacity to marshal like-minded democracies.
"They are coming together to respond in an unprecedented way to this barbaric attack on the women and children of Ukraine."
The meeting concluded with the extension of an invitation for Biden to come to Ireland in the near future.
Featured Image of Micheál Martin via Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews.ieExplore more on these topics: