H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko:

I thank the Senator for his remarks and questions and the position he outlined. With regard to a possible address by President Zelenskyy to the Oireachtas, I am working on this issue. Members understand pretty well what the situation is and that he is very busy. I sent a request to him and I hope he will find time for such an address.

I thank the Senator for his proposal and idea regarding the preparation of talks with the USA to encourage it to set up a no-fly zone. As I mentioned, that is extremely important for us. Our army is very good on the ground but what we need is to close the sky and protect our civilians from more bombing attacks, artillery strikes etc.

Russian officials, Putin himself, the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov, and the east Russian propagandists say directly that Ukraine is not the final goal.

Ukraine is a step to attack further. Even in Putin's demands to NATO and to the USA, he does not intend to build the Soviet Union but to restore his power, including over eastern Europe. He demands the withdrawal of NATO troops, for instance, from Bulgaria, Poland and actually from the eastern part of the European Union.

Even yesterday, by the way, I watched one interview of a Russian Putin propagandist. He was angry because he lost real estate in Italy, and many funds also. He clearly stated that Ukraine is just one part of Russia's plan and Russia wants to invade Europe.

Talks, not only within the Europe but between democratic states on what to do or not to do, but not taking any real decision, means that Putin is approaching the EU member states. All democratic words allow Putin to kill our people and thousands of Ukrainian lives are at stake.

The sanctions are working, but they are not so harmful to the Russian economy because, after 2015, Russia redirected some funds to China, to the Chinese currency. Russia hid some funds from the world market also. It is not enough for sure.