Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has singled out Bono and U2 praising them for their support for a new fundraising initiative to help people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Dublin band has teamed up Global Citizen, the international charity that aims to end extreme poverty, to support the “Stand Up for Ukraine” fundraising campaign.
"I'm grateful to U2 and Bono for this campaign initiative," Mr Zelenskiy said in a video posted by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.
The Ukrainian leader called on people to raise funds and mobilise support for internally displaced people and refugees forced to flee their homes due to the war.
Now in its second month, the conflict has displaced one in four Ukrainians with 10 million people having left their homes since Russia invaded its neighbour on February 24th.
More than 3.6 million refugees have crossed into neighbouring countries in one of the largest displacements of people in Europe since the second World War.
Some 4.3 million children have been displaced in the past month, more than half of the country's estimated 7.5 million children, according to aid agency Unicef.
“I’m inviting everybody: musicians, athletes, businessmen, politicians, everybody. Everyone who wants to join this movement and stand up for Ukraine,” said Mr Zelenskiy.
The fundraising drive will appeal to governments, companies and citizens to offer their support with a “Social Media Rally” pledging event planned for April 9th.
The event will be co-hosted by Dr von der Leyen and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who criticised Russian president Vladimir Putin for what he described as his "illegal and unjustifiable invasion. "
“Our message to the Ukrainian people is this: we are standing with you,” said Mr Trudeau.
“Whether you need food, water, shelter or medical aid, we are rallying the world to continue to have your backs and provide critical assistance when it is needed most.”
Dr von der Leyen said a Ukrainian child has become a refugee “every second since the start of the war” and called on the world to “stand up for them”.
“The brave people of Ukraine deserve solidarity from citizens and governments around the globe. Together we can give them a safe home and bring some light in their lives at this dark hour,” she said.
The number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland is expected to reach 20,000 this week with the Government estimating that between 68,000 and 200,000 could ultimately arrive.
Bono's own praise for the Ukrainian president generated headlines earlier this month when US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi read a poem by the U2 frontman, implying that Mr Zelenskiy, like St Patrick, was banishing snakes from his country.
The singer later posted the poem on the band's Twitter social media account after Ms Pelosi read it at the "Friends of Ireland" St Patrick's Day lunch for US president Joe Biden and members of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington DC.
The poem attracted much online criticism over the quality of the poetry, however.
