Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Yermak for the address. We are very appreciative of him for making himself available along with the ambassador and the representatives here today. We acknowledge and appreciate the grave difficulties his country and its people are facing in the form of Russia's illegal and barbaric act, namely, the invasion. As alluded to by the Chair, we are delighted that our people, our country and our Government are in a position to ensure we can offer a safe haven for Ukrainian refugees and to contribute handsomely to the European peace fund. Our support for Ukrainian accession to the EU is steadfast, and so much so that our Taoiseach is to the fore in seeking to ensure it is done in a timely fashion rather than having to go through the same criteria previous applicants have had to go through.

We note Mr. Yermak's comments in relation to the request for Europe to continue and even increase the pace of sanctions - economic and otherwise - against Russia. We acknowledge and appreciate that request, irrespective of the impact it could have on our own economy. It is a small price for us to pay to support the Ukrainian people and its country and government.

My only question might be seen as a very simplistic question but comes as a result of the previous comment in relation to sanctions. People ask whether Ukraine can defeat or repel the Russians. It obviously can not be done alone. Thankfully, the wider world order is behind Ukrainian defence. Ukraine may be dependent on the sanction as the best weapon to see success, or to see this illegal and barbaric invasion off. Does Mr. Yermak think the Russian Government or even its media will ever change its imperialist mindset which seems to have engulfed the regime in recent times?