Irish foreign minister visiting Poland as Ukraine crisis continues

Simon Coveney, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, is visiting Poland, a country that is hosting a significant proportion of the millions of Ukrainians who have fled the war.

During his visit to the capital Warsaw, Coveney will meet his Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, to discuss the crisis at the country’s border.

Coveney will also meet a representative of the UN refugees’ agency and members of the Irish community in Poland supporting refugees.

Nearly two million people have crossed into Poland from Ukraine since the Russian invasion began three weeks ago.

“As this devastating conflict enters its fourth week, I am glad to have this opportunity to visit Poland to discuss perspectives on the crisis with Minister Rau.

“I also look forward to meeting with a number of organisations on the ground who are supporting those fleeing Ukraine,’’ he said.

The visit to Poland comes after U.S. President Joe Biden used St Patrick’s Day events to praise Irish efforts to take in Ukrainian refugees.

The Republic of Ireland, with a population of five million, has taken in more than 7,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Those arriving are offered Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers to allow them to work and claim social welfare.