Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A previous speaker mentioned that the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Mr. Sergii Reva, had attended a committee meeting at which he outlined his views on the crisis. It is welcome that the Russian ambassador, H.E. Mr Maxim Peshkov, has come before us today and I hope he will clarify some issues for us. There are people in Russia who will see us as well meaning westerners who have no clue about what is happening on the ground. However, we have a viewpoint. Everybody is concerned about the rise in the number of of anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish population.

We are concerned about the composition of the interim government and people who are being given senior posts in the Ukrainian Government. I expressed my concerns to the Ukrainian ambassador in this regard and have made the same point to the Russian ambassador. Throughout the crisis in Ukraine I have been critical of both sides. I have just come from a meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the European Council. My view is that mistakes were made by the European Union, the United States and the Russian Federation. The ideal would be for both sides to work together and for Ukraine, because of its strategic location, to trade with both Russia and the European Union. It was a mistake for the negotiations to move towards the zero option. There could have been an historic compromise and others in Europe share this view of the crisis. Only the people of Ukraine can decide their future. It is an important principle that they should be able to do this without foreign interference. We need to address this principle.

I share Russian concerns about the emerging right-wing groups in Kiev and the positions they been able to establish in the power vacuum within the government. I stand in total opposition to their ideology. Deputy Brendan Smith mentioned self-defence units, which are a key part of the crisis. These masked men do not talk openly when questioned. They have no marks on their uniforms to establish who they are, but they have heavy weapons. I have heard suggestions the uniforms may have been bought in stores, but from where did they get the military equipment? Has the Russian Government supported their creation in any way? Is it supporting them militarily or economically or controlling them? What is the ambassaor's view of these armed groups that have emerged in Crimea?

President Putin has the agreement of the Russian Parliament that he can send Russian troops into Ukraine, in particular the eastern part of the country, if the crisis worsens. Russian troops also stage military manoeuvres. It is welcome that there seems to have been a de-escalation. In what circumstances would the Russian Government sent troops across the border? Will the ambassador suggest a possible scenario because there is a threat and we, naive westerners, are concerned about where it will lead? It is leading to further tensions in the region.

A decision was made on 6 March to call a referendum in Crimea, which is due to take place on 16 March. This is happening during the crisis in Ukraine. The people have a right to self-determination and to decide democratically on their country's future in an open, fair and transparent way. All sides, including civic society, should have an opportunity to put their views to the people, but that will not happen in a period of ten days. Such a period is too short and does not follow democratic best practice in any country. Will the ambassador agree that it lacks good democratic practice to hold a referendum in such a short timeframe?

Has the Russian Government decided what it will do if the people vote in favour of joining the Russian Federation? If that happens it will be viewed by many as a further escalation, but that depends on Russia's response.

Yesterday the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, rejected an offer to talk to the Russian President until, as he said, Russia engages with US proposals on the Ukraine crisis. I think that view is counterproductive. I urge all sides to sit down and talk and reference the Irish experience where negotiations were moved on in a peaceful manner. Does the ambassador believe that the meeting should have gone ahead? What specific issues did the Russian Government want to raise with the US Government? I presume it was the make-up of a new government.

The EU has stated that if the Crimea referendum goes ahead and Russia wins, it will place sanctions on Russia. Today the EU has agreed the wording of sanctions that include travel restrictions and asset freezes against those supposedly responsible for military actions in the Crimea. European officials have also indicated that President Vladimir Putin and his foreign Minister, Mr. Sergei Lavrov, will not be on the list. Therefore, those channels of communication can be kept open, but further escalation is possible at any time. Instead, the list is expected to focus on people close to President Putin and will probably focus on security services and the military establishment. How will Russia respond? I accept that Mr. Peshkov is an ambassador and may not wish to comment. If sanctions are introduced, can we expect similar counter-sanctions from the Russian Federation?

Ireland is a small country located on the edge of Europe. We have seen conflict in our own land for too long and can empathise with the Ukrainian people about what they are experiencing. It behoves us all to do whatever we can and to raise our voices against what is going on, but we seem to be slipping further towards the brink of war. The referendum is a mistake because people need time to settle down and talk. It is positive that the interim government wants people to talk, and that is what they called it when they met Irish officials. Does the ambassador agree that talking is the way forward rather than military exercises or responses?