Mary Regan: It was clear this was a hugely tense moment for Zelensky who - between handshakes - was being updated 'hour to hour' on talks with Putin

"As he stepped out of his car and onto the red carpet at Áras an Uachtaráin, Volodymyr Zelensky unclenched his phone from his palm and handed it over to one of his team, before proceeding to shake hands with President Catherine Connolly."

"Behind the ceremony and the warmth, it was clear this was a hugely tense moment for the Ukrainian president who - between the handshakes - was being updated "hour to hour" on developments elsewhere."

"As he stepped out of his car and onto the red carpet at Áras an Uachtaráin, Volodymyr Zelensky unclenched his phone from his palm and handed it over to one of his team, before proceeding to shake hands with President Catherine Connolly. Behind the ceremony and the warmth, it was clear this was a hugely tense moment for the Ukrainian president who - between the handshakes - was being updated "hour to hour" on developments elsewhere."

Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin and stepped onto the red carpet. He unclenched his phone and handed it to a member of his team before shaking hands with President Catherine Connolly. The official welcome included visible warmth and ceremonial protocol. The Ukrainian president remained visibly tense during the exchanges. Between handshakes he received updates "hour to hour" on developments elsewhere. The combination of formal ceremony and constant operational briefings underscored the high-stakes timing and pressure surrounding the visit.

Read at Independent