A virtual bilateral meeting took place between US President Joe Biden and Micheál Martin after Taoiseach tested positive for Covid-19.
The couple discussed a number of topics, including the conflict in Ukraine, the pandemic and the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Biden said he regretted that they could not meet in person.
WB Yeats quoted Mr Biden as describing the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the world.
“Everything changed, completely changed – a terrible beauty was born,” he told Taoiseach.
Mr Biden said the Irish leadership on the issue was “conspicuous and impressive”.
Taoiseach spoke of the need for a “unity of purpose.”
The US leader praised Ireland’s willingness to take in refugees, adding: “What Ireland is doing now, what you are doing, taking in Ukrainian refugees, speaks so loudly about your principles.
“And it’s amazing and I want to publicly compliment you on that.
“I think you have already brought over 7,000 or so refugees from Ukraine, and you are ready to do more. So thank you.”
Taoiseach told Mr Biden: “Ireland is ready to do everything we possibly can on the humanitarian front and to support the broadest and widest sanctions to keep up the pressure and bring this war to an end.”
He also thanked Mr Biden for US support for the Good Friday agreement.
He praised the “constant support”, referring to “the importance of the Good Friday Treaty in respecting stability and peace on the island of Ireland”.
“In the last number of days that I have been here, we have once again witnessed the two-way, very robust economic relationship between the United States and Ireland.”
Mr Martin, who appears for almost the second year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said it would be unfortunate.
“This year we’re almost meeting across the street, so we’re getting closer,” he joked.
Taoiseach’s positive result was discovered on the eve of his planned meeting at the Oval Office with President Biden.
Taoiseach is self-isolating and is described as feeling good.
The announcement was made under dramatic circumstances at the Ireland Funds Gala Dinner in Washington DC.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was in the process of awarding a prize to Taoiseach, but instead Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall took the stage and explained to 700 guests that Taoiseach had tested positive for Covid-19.
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He had taken a test before the traditional St Patrick’s Day meeting with the president in the Oval Office, after a member of his delegation tested positive.
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