Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Strong action must be taken within the European Union to let the Russians and the world know the ideals and principles of liberal democracy and human rights, as represented in the European Union and throughout the world, must be respected or there will be consequences. At present, these consequences will take the form of sanctions and such sanctions must be calibrated to the situation. Moreover, we must be strong in this regard.
As for Kosovo, the situation there was slightly different, in that under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo constituted a case sui generis, which did not call into question the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. Consequently, there is no legitimacy for what the Russians are doing in Ukraine, regardless of the situation there. The conclusions on Ukraine approved by the European Council should act as our charter. The conclusions state the European Union:

supports the Ukrainian people and their right to choose their own future. The European Union stands by the Ukrainian government in its efforts to stabilise Ukraine and undertake reforms.

That refers to how there is no point in banning the Russian language, if one takes over as such measures are not helpful. Consequently, the European Union will assist Ukraine and that is what my message to the Minister of State would be.
Furthermore, the conclusions state, "the European Union will pursue further efforts with the international community to assist Ukraine". As Members are aware, Russia is seeking to secure its borders and it will not stop. It will move further and then, having secured its borders and having the greater Europe it seeks - with half being under its hegemony and half within the European Union - it will move on to what it really wants to do, which is to protect its territory east of the Urals from Asia. That is the policy of Russia and Putin but Members are not interested in that. They are interested in Ukraine and if Ireland in Europe promotes democracy and human rights in Ukraine, as Senator Noone observed, the European Union must also provide financial support to Ukraine. Thereafter, we can help to stabilise Ukraine for its own future, be it a unitary state or a federal structure, as that is up to Ukraine. The Minister of State is doing a good job. I listened to his statement with interest and ask him to reflect on my modest suggestions to help him in his task.