LAST UPDATE | 24 Feb 2022

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that Ireland will be supporting the “strongest possible” sanctions by the EU on Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels this evening, Martin said that the EU collectively condemned the “outrageous and immoral attack” on Ukraine by Russia.

Martin is in Brussels as part of a snap EU summit on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was called yesterday evening in advance of the invasion.

Earlier today he said Ireland’s thoughts “must be with the innocent people of Ukraine in their most difficult hour”. 

“We stand with them,” he said, adding that visa requirements would be waived for all Ukrainians entering this country.  He said this should help Irish families in Ukraine to travel to Ireland with Ukrainian family members.

“As a small country in particular, today’s use of brute force in pursuit of a warped perception of national interest is a serious affront. It presents Europe with the most grave security situation it has faced in decades, with repercussions for global security and for the world’s economy,” he said.

It cannot and it will not go unanswered. President Putin and those who support him will be held accountable.

Sanctions

Speaking in Brussels, Martin said that Ireland supported the “strongest possible” sanctions on Russia.

“We will support the imposition of comprehensive and severe sanctions on Russia, sanctions that reflect the grave nature of the assault on the Ukrainian people.

“We will be supporting the strongest possible and most comprehensive sanctions that can be deployed.

“Particularly in the financial sector, in energy and transport and in a range of sectors that would weaken the industrial base of Russia and also its capacity to wage war.”

When asked about excluding Russia from the SWIFT banking system, Martin repeated that Ireland backed the strongest possible sanctions.

He also added that a €10 million fund for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine would be created by the Government and that Ireland would stand by to do whatever else is needed to assist Ukraine “in their hour of need”.

Martin also confirmed that Ireland would not recognise a government in Ukraine that was installed by Russia.

Impact of sanctions

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One this afternoon, Martin said that there would be a cost to the sanctions issued by the EU on Ireland, with damage to the economy and an increased price and scarcity of energy also raised.

“The general price will be one of economic challenges. Energy is an obvious one in terms of the increased price and scarcity of sources of energy, in terms of gas and oil.

“Contingency measures have been taken at European level in respect of some of that, but I think we have to be honest with people. In upholding the values that we cherish there will be a price and there will be a cost.”

He said that there would likely be higher costs for EU countries who are closer to the conflict.

When asked if the Russian Ambassador to Ireland will be expelled, he said no one EU country will take unilateral steps: “We will work in concert and in unity with our European colleagues…no one country will be taking unilateral steps.”

Martin said that Ambassador Yuri Filatov “represents a government which has lied to the world” and people they have engaged with. 

“American intelligence, and NATO intelligence let’s be frank, has been saying for quite some time that this was going to happen. This was denied, emphatically denied by the Ambassador and by representatives of the Russian government, even though they clearly were planning such a comprehensive attack on the Ukrainian people,” Martin said. 

I know Minister Coveney met with the Ambassador and made clear this country’s absolute condemnation of what has occurred here.

Invasion

Russia launched an assault on its neighbour at approximately 5am local time (3am Irish time).

Martin said that there will be a “clear, comprehensive and immediate” response to the “unjust aggression” by Russia against the people of the Ukraine. “It is immoral what is going on,” he said.

'Why does one leader decide that lives will be lost...it's immoral.' pic.twitter.com/W5Ymg1UaMu

— Rónán Duffy (@ronanduffy_) February 24, 2022

Martin said the protection of human life “is extremely important” and that Ireland will not be found wanting in offering the humanitarian support the Ukrainian people will need.

Preparations are currently underway to prepare for a potential humanitarian crisis, and Martin said Ireland is drawing up plans to receive potential Ukrainian refugees.

“Plans being worked on if that turns out to be the case. War can, as we know, create real pressures in terms of migratory flows. We hope again it doesn’t come to that.

“I think we have to do everything we possibly can in this situation, to reach out to our Ukrainian friends. We will be there for them.”

Martin said that the Irish Government is maintaining close contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine.

“We are also maintaining close contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine, whose safety is paramount, including the two Irish diplomats in our Embassy in Kyiv who are in a safe place with EU colleagues. I pay tribute to their commitment and to the work that they are doing,” he said. 

 Martin said that while there is lots of talk about strategies and geopolitics, “fundamentally it’s people’s lives that are at stake here”.

“Young lives will be lost unnecessarily,” he told reporters. This is an “unacceptable” situation to be witnessing in the 21st century, he said.

The Taoiseach said he agrees with EU Council President Ursula von der Leyen when she said the target is no longer just Ukraine. “One has to take into consideration that the expansionist position of President Putin could be to push further,” he added.

The Taoiseach said if it is the case that Putin wants to “restore some previous historic order, then we have to make it very clear that that’s not acceptable”.

“Nobody wanted to be in this position,” said Martin, who stated that every effort was made to deal with any security issues Russia might have. “These issues without question could have been resolved.”

Militarily neutral

Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “Ireland is militarily neutral, but in this conflict, Ireland is not neutral at all.”

“Our support for Ukraine is unwavering,” he said.

“This is an act of aggression. It is unprecedented in the 21st century,” said Varadkar.

“I want to be very clear that the Irish government will fully support any additional sanctions against Russia.”

These include sanctions of a financial nature in relation to banking and financial services, aviation and any other matters, he added.

Varadkar said: “Ireland will not be putting any selfish or economic interests ahead of responses required. We will support whatever sanctions are necessary, including those that would disrupt banking and financial services that are used by Russians… it applies to aviation as well.”

In relation to the Russian ambassador and diplomats, any actions will be taken on a European level.

Putin and the Russian regime have no fear of small countries. They have no fear even of large countries and Ukraine is not a small country, what they might have a fear of is the European Union, the United States, the West democratic nations acting together.

“So it’s really important that we act in concert with our European allies. But let me be very clear when it comes to accepting refugees, when it comes to financial and other sanctions, Ireland is willing to be at the forefront of doing what is right in that regard, regardless of any selfish or economic concerns we may have for ourselves,” said Varadkar.

In an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme earlier, Coveney said that Ireland will not take a neutral stance on Russia’s belligerence.

“Ireland is a neutral country, we’re militarily non-aligned, but we are certainly not neutral on an issue like this, when there is blatant aggression happening on the continent of Europe,” he said. 

The foreign affairs minister said Russia’s aggression is “an attack on a Europe that we have built together collectively since World War II.”

He promised “very direct and very hard-hitting” sanctions against Russia.

We are not going to go to war with Russia, militarily.