Taoiseach did not ask Joe Biden to stop providing military support to Israel despite calls from Mary Robinson

Leo Varadkar said President Biden made it very clear that the US will continue to provide military support to Israel.

“It was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel to defend itself so I don't think that's going to change but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, he said.

“There is difference between self defence and what's happening now. That's why we need a ceasefire,” he added

After his meeting in the White House, Mr Varadkar said the President was in “very good form” and “very engaged” in their discussions about a range of topics.

This included speaking about the restoration of the power sharing executive in Northern Ireland. They also discussed the new trading arrangements with Britain which have ensure a return to a hard border was unnecessary.

They also spoke about Ukraine and the President told Mr Varadkar he is “very keen” for the US political institutions to follow in the footsteps of the EU and provide long term military aid for the war efforts against Russia.

Speaking in the White House’s Oval Office, Mr Biden also supported Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s calls for a two state solution for the on-going crisis in the Middle East.

Mr Biden he twice said he agreed with Mr Varadkar when he called for a two state solution in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and when the Taoiseach said an immediate ceasefire was needed in the region.

The President said Ireland and the US will continue to work together to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

He described as a “good speech” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s call for an election in Israel because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way.

The Taoiseach said he is keen to speak to Mr Biden about he the war in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire as soon as possible.

“We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two state solution, which I think is the only the only way we’ll have lasting peace and security,” Mr Varadkar said.

Mr Biden responded saying he agreed.

The President then set out the steps the US was taking to see a resolution for the war sparked by a amas terror attack on October.

He said America is working with their Arab partners to bring about a humanitarian cease fire in Gaza.

“I know the White House the President is working very hard on that. I believe that if we can secure a humanitarian ceasefire even for a few weeks to allow hostages to be released and prisoners to be exchanged that could be possible to build something on that more permanent,” the Taoiseach said.

“I think there really is an opportunity that something good could come out of all the horror that we've seen in the past few months and that is a possibility of a comprehensive peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours and a two state solution,” he added.

Mr Varadkar said he raised the case of six Irish citizens who are still trapped in war torn Gaza.

Mr Varadkar also thanked Mr Biden for his leadership on the war in Ukraine.

“Very worried about the situation there and we don’t think that if Putin is successful in Ukraine, he’ll stop there. We really need your continued leadership on Ukraine,” he said.

Mr Varadkar said he will also be speaking to Congressional leaders about the need for further US financial and military support for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach said he will be meeting with EU leaders in Brussels next week to discuss the outcome of his meeting.

“You can tell the the President of the US is strongly committed to making sure we provide that aid (to Ukraine),” Mr Biden said.

It comes as Biden said he hopes the hinges of Ireland and America’s friendship “never go rusty” as he welcomed Mr Varadkar to the White House.

Mr Biden said the Irish in America think they are more Irish than the Irish as he noted the two countries celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations this year.

The US President, who is facing into a massive election fight against Donald Trump, said he always wants to come back to Ireland when asked by the Irish Independent if he would return after his near week long visit last year.