merrion street

On Saturday (12 February) the Department of Foreign Affairs upgraded its travel advice to advise against all travel to Ukraine and to ask citizens currently in Ukraine to leave immediately by commercial means. 

Since the travel advice for Ukraine was upgraded, the number of Irish citizens registered with our embassy in Kyiv has, as expected, been increasing. The number of Irish citizens registered with the embassy currently stands at 145 and this number may rise further over the coming days. 

The Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv is in ongoing contact with all registered Irish citizens and has advised them to leave Ukraine immediately. A number of commercial flight options continue to be available and it is also possible to depart the country overland to neighbouring EU states.

The Department is in direct contact with all of those scheduled to travel to Ukraine for surrogacy purposes. The Department will continue to provide support to each of these individuals and families with advice relevant to their particular situation.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., said:

“We are urging all Irish citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately, either via commercial flight or over land. We remain in ongoing contact at a senior level with EU partners, as well as the UK and the US, regarding the wider political and security situation in and around Ukraine. Ireland supports all efforts aimed at defusing the current tensions and at finding a diplomatic pathway forward. Ireland is committed to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is urgent that Russia de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue.”

In common with the Embassies of partner states, the Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv will remain open, with a small number of essential staff remaining. That situation will be kept under review.

Any Irish citizen requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at +353 1 408 2000.

ENDS