Zelensky to Irish students: Russia’s disinformation has ‘powerful’ impact on Israel
The Ukrainian president also thanked Ireland for its support during the war and for taking in 63,000 refugees
Hundreds of students gathered at Dublin City University’s campus on Monday to hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deliver a speech, saying Russia’s disinformation has a “powerful impact on Israel.”
Zelensky addressed third-level students at 20 locations across Ireland via video link, saying he was grateful to Ireland for taking in 63,000 Ukrainian refugees
“I can tell you, select any time and you know that you and your government and your society have helped Ukraine in many ways. And as you mentioned that no matter your neutral status, you’re absolutely not neutral in your attitude, in your assistance,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian President called social media a “battlefield that’s full of capabilities and unfortunately, Russia has been using that.”
“They’ve spread the disinformation in many African and Asian countries, they have a powerful impact on Israel, on Germany and many other European countries, their TV channels with disinformation until recently worked in the United States and many other countries of the world.”
Ukraine can’t fight Russia with weapons only, he said, but that if they managed to “penetrate” the wall of lies, the nation would be able to “unite the whole world.”
“This is not over yet, but still we’re hoping (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can hear us and that the information that we have is becoming a weapon and becoming a powerful weapon,” Zelensky said.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris called it a momentous occasion and an “important and historic day”.
“I think it’s fair to say that this is a moment of history, as President Zelensky takes time to speak to students here in Ireland, the future leaders of this country, to speak to students here in The Helix but also in 20 other locations right across our country today, students listening in to the President of Ukraine at this truly important time in global history,” Harris said.
“When history is written, let it be clear, we stood up and we spoke out, and we supported Ukraine.”
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