Who is popular today?

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s speech in the Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday morning made Ukrainians in Ireland “very proud,” Elizabeth Karamushka, who watched the speech from the Dáil chamber, said.
Ms Karamushka is from Kyiv but has lived in Dublin for eight years. On the second day of war in her home country, she helped set up the Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland, a volunteer-led organisation offering practical support to refugees arriving here.
“His speech was very powerful. To hear him say what we have been saying at protests and call for the things we want to see from the Irish Government was really great. It makes us feel that it’s not only us on the streets because the president himself can address it on his level to the Irish government and other European governments.”
Speaking via video link, Mr Zelenskiy thanked Ireland for the humanitarian and financial support it has provided to his country.

Ukranian supporter Oleksandra Keshkeval, originally from Odessa but living in Dublin for 10 years, outside Leinster House, Dublin as Zelenskiy addressed both houses of the Oireatchtas. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos


Mr Zelenskiy also called on Ireland to show “more leadership in our anti-war coalition” and convince European Union partners to introduce more rigid sanctions against Russia “that would really make sure that the Russian war machine will stop”.
“He said what we expected he’d say without hiding away. It was hard to hear him describe those horrendous crimes happening in Ukraine but we already know these things. We were on the streets yesterday holding photos of our own friends and family,” Ms Karamushka said.
Ms Karamushka lost her uncle two weeks ago. “He was killed on the battlefield. His comrades gave us the news. But it’s not only me. Almost everyone has lost someone now. My godfather’s best friend was shot dead in Bucha in front of his own house only a few days ago.”
Ms Karamushka’s family refuses to leave Kyiv and she fears losing more of her loved ones, which meant that for her, it was “more important to see the responses from the Irish Government.”
“I found the response even better than we expected. I can see clearly that Russian propaganda has no power in Ireland which is a really good sign because that is what stopped the world from happening to us eight years ago.”

Patsy Sheehan from Co Clare joined children from St Josephs School in Fairview outside the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times


“We received an absolutely clear message of support for Ukraine, and we heard from some people speaking today that they’re in favour of expelling the Russian ambassador which is a huge step for us,” she said.
Standing outside Leinster House, Oleksandra Pishtheiko, from Kyiv, said she was “very impressed and proud” of her president, who she described as a “strong man”.
“I think there was a good balance between saying thank you for the Irish support and generosity but also asking again for more support from leaders,” she said.
“I’m really grateful for everything the Irish government has done. My relatives who have come here now are getting social welfare and housing support. My niece is already gone to school. So it’s a great support from this country.”
For Nick Kozlov, who is an Irish citizen from Ukraine, the Irish Government could “go further”.
“They could be more proactive in sending out diplomats. A very large number still remain here for such a small island and they are spreading propaganda and lying to the Irish people and government.”
Mr Kozlov felt Ukrainians in Ireland “really stood behind our president” during Zelenskiy’s speech on Wednesday.
“People had their differences when he got elected but we all stand united behind him now.”