Ukrainians gather in Dublin for third anniversary of Russian invasion

Hundreds of Ukrainians have marched through Dublin’s streets to mark three years since Russia’s invasion.

The crowd held signs criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump as demonstrators thanked Ireland for hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

Relations between the US and Europe have been strained after Mr Trump launched hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

The US president called Ukraine’s leader a “dictator” and appeared to accuse Ukraine of starting the war as his officials met Russian officials to discuss ending the conflict.

On Sunday, hundreds of Ukrainians marched through Dublin city and chanted “Putin is dictator”, “Russia is the aggressor” and “thank you Ireland”.

Yuliia Alieksieieva from Kharkiv said they were using the third anniversary to draw attention to the war.

“Today we are together to remind the Europeans about our war and about Ukrainians, we need help from our European partners especially now because of Trump.”

She said of Mr Trump’s recent comments: “It’s terrible, we just want to stop him but we don’t know how and because of that we are here just to show we stand against this.

“To be honest, the Irish Government did a lot for Ukrainians and we just wanted to say thank you to the Irish Government for everything and to just show we appreciate everything.”

Sergey Parshin, who held a sign calling on Europe to unite, said “it’s very upsetting and enraging” that Mr Trump was “siding” with Russia.

“He was very unpredictable at the start so nobody knew what to expect from Mr Trump but this is an absolute nightmare what’s going on right now.”

Maria Myrhorodska, from the Donetsk region, said she had been living in different cities in Ukraine for 10 years, and she has been in Ireland for the past three years.

“We’re trying to keep our territories and trying to keep the peace in places where it’s still possible, but Russia keeps getting closer to other cities,” she told the PA news agency.

“It’s very important to keep talking about the war and keep talking about Ukraine, and it’s really important to do something, because every day we are not getting stronger.”

Ruslana Mykhailovska, who was a vet in Ukraine and now works as an animal groomer in Ireland, said she could not focus on her future when rockets were being fired overhead.

“Today we are walking to remember that we want peace in Ukraine.

“We just want to feel freedom and come back to Ukraine, because we are here in Ireland and everywhere in the world because we can’t be in our home.”

Around 112,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the war broke out in February 2022, with an estimated quarter of those thought to have since left Ireland.

She said of Mr Trump: “We have to wait for a decision… unfortunately Trump (could) make a bad decision for Ukraine.”

During speeches in Merrion Square, Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko said Ukrainians stand “unbroken” despite an invasion that shook “the very foundation of European security” and represented Russia’s “war against democracy itself”.

“Despite the horrors that we have endured, Ukraine still resists, Ukraine still stands strong.

“We understand, without any words, that Putin and Russia is the aggressor state, is the terrorist state. Putin doesn’t want any peaceful settlement.

“We are truly thankful to Ireland, the Irish people and all our allies for your solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine and Ukrainians during this darkest time.”

Fianna Fail TD Sean O’Fearghail said a “genuine and sustainable” peace for Ukraine was needed.

“I had the opportunity to visit Ukraine. I had the opportunity to meet Volodymyr Zelensky, (Prime Minister) Denys Shmyhal and (parliamentary chairman) Ruslan Stefanchuk.

“I have to say this: Ukraine did not start the war. Zelensky is not a dictator. The people of Ukraine have reason to be proud that there are three leaders in their country, political novices, people who had no great experience of leadership, who when this monstrous war began, started by the evil Putin regime, Putin quite confidently expected that the leaders would run away.

“He got it wrong. They didn’t run away. They’re not running away now, and they won’t run away in the future.”

He paid tribute to the Irish people who welcomed Ukrainian people into their homes and communities, and thanked Ukrainians for having “enriched” Irish life.

Nina Dinaieva of Ukrainian Crisis Centre in Ireland (UCCI) said Ukraine was “fighting evil” and “no matter how big it is, good will win”.

“There are no words to express our gratitude to Ireland. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The crowd broke into chants of “thank you Ireland” and people had tears in their eyes as speeches were given and the Ukrainian national anthem was played.

The father of Robert Deegan, a former Irish soldier who was killed while helping the Ukrainian army, addressed the crowd about his son’s death.

“I, as a father, just want this war to end,” he said, before saying “Slava Ukraini”.

John Farrelly, who is a part of a group of 50 people who have protested outside the Russian embassy every day since the war broke out, also addressed the crowd.

Musician Glen Hansard said he was attending the protest to show “solidarity, plain and simple”.