Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Following on from what already has been stated about the fluidity of the process, I note that even looking at Twitter now, so much is happening that it is difficult to keep up. However, the talks in Geneva are a good initiative and I hope they can reduce some of the tensions and begin a process to end this crisis. While international support for peace and security is needed, ultimately only the Ukrainians themselves can decide their future and they must be allowed to make the decisions free of international pressure. In a confidence-building measure, the build-up of Russian troops along the border must stop and they should be removed. Similarly, NATO should cease the escalation and mobilisation of its forces in eastern Europe. For too long, Ukraine has been used as a geopolitical football by Russia and the European Union to achieve their own strategic aims. Unfortunately, because of this it has suffered under successive corrupt and ineffective governments for far too long. The result of this has been a deterioration in socioeconomic conditions and essentially, a bankruptcy of that state. Some of the recent problems stem from interference by the European Union, the United States and Russia in the power struggle within Ukraine. Rather than forcing Ukraine to choose between one of two political routes, the European Union and Russia should have been working together to create mutually beneficial and non-exclusive economic, political and social relationships with Ukraine. This would have been of real, genuine benefit to ordinary Ukrainians. The interim government in Kiev has little legitimacy in the country and continues to be divided. Members have heard a lot about this already.

One can be under no illusion about either Russia's self-interest in this region or its reasons for the recent behaviour but it must be pointed out that the referendum that took place in Crimea obviously is another factor in the escalating crisis. It was held under the worst possible conditions, there was a sub-standard security situation, a volatile atmosphere, international pressure, the lack of open democratic debate, press restrictions and a lack of dialogue preceding the referendum. Obviously, Sinn Féin supports the right to referendums to decide self-determination but they should be in line with good democratic practice. It is clear there is a great deal of support in Crimea for separating from Ukraine and joining Russia. However, there first should be dialogue and negotiation within Ukraine, free from the aforementioned outside interference, obviously with a view to finding an overall agreement on the future of Ukraine. Some Members already have mentioned the perhaps less positive role that has been played by the European Union. Some people will state the actions of the European Union have been just as disastrous for the Ukrainian people. The European Union has moved ahead with its association agreement with Ukraine and some would state this is a cause of the escalation in the first place.

The European Union should not force through such an important document with an interim government. It is said the agreement will lock some of the political and economic structures in a straitjacket and suggested one of the first effects will be an increase in domestic gas prices on 1 May. The European Union and the IMF have been requested to provide financial support for Ukraine. Before now, domestic gas prices were heavily subsidised by the government, which ensured people did not starve or freeze to death during the winter. However, that subsidy will be cut under the package. There have been other threats of spending cuts. When there is such poverty in the country, threats of such cuts are unpopular throughout Ukraine, especially in its eastern part. The more Ukraine increases its socioeconomic development, the more autonomy it will have in deciding its own future. That should be the main focus of the external efforts and in providing support.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and his contribution.