Joe Biden, Ireland Taoiseach Micheal Martin meet virtually to mark St. Patrick's Day

In marking St. Patrick’s Day, US President Joe Biden was to meet in person with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Washington. However, due to Martin’s COVID-19 positive test, the two leaders met virtually instead.

Biden was to host Martin at the White House over the weekend as part of the annual meeting marking St. Patrick’s Day. But as Martin tested positive for COVID-19, the two leaders met virtually, with Martin self-isolating at Blair House. The virtual meeting between the two leaders started the festivities celebrating the holiday.

During the meeting, Biden and Martin both condemned the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which rallied many countries together against Russia as it continues its offensive. Martin praised Biden’s leadership throughout the crisis, describing Russia’s unprovoked invasion as “unjustifiable” and “immoral.”

The US leader also reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Good Friday Agreement that was signed in 1998, helping end the violence that has transpired in Ireland for decades over the issue of Northern Ireland reuniting with Ireland or remaining part of the United Kingdom.

Martin was also absent from the annual “Friends of Ireland Luncheon” at the Capitol hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Martin and Pelosi also met and spoke virtually.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden was “disappointed” by the sudden change in the format of his meeting with Martin, saying that the US leader was an “extrovert” and preferred in-person meetings over virtual ones. Psaki added that Biden expressed hope that next year’s meeting for St. Patrick’s Day would go smoothly.

Friday last week, Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The call appeared to be an opportunity for Biden to see if China could be convinced not to be involved in the ongoing conflict and to reject Russia’s requests for military and economic assistance. The call was also an opportunity for Biden to issue a stark warning against helping Russia.

While both Biden and Xi agreed on the need to promote peace and assist in the humanitarian efforts, the two leaders did not see eye to eye on who was responsible for the ongoing invasion. Xi apparently refused to say that Russia was solely responsible for the war.

Official readouts from Beijing revealed that Xi believed the US and Europe was responsible for provoking Russian dictator Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine due to NATO’s eastward expansion.