Mr. Andriy Borysovych Yermak:

I have very little time and, therefore, will be succinct. To answer the first question, if Ukraine receives all the weapons that we have requested and if there is a powerful sanction blow and policies introduced against Russia, we will succeed and we shall win. This will not just be a Ukrainian victory. This will be the victory of all our partners and allies as well.

Regarding the question as to whether the Russian Federation can change, we all have to understand that Russia does not understand and is not capable of hearing and listening to the language of dialogue. Instead, what it understands and what it does is to use the language of power and blackmail. Historically, it has come to do so. Of course, if the situation changes and there is victory and the democratic will prevails, then after a certain number of years, maybe we would see some change in the Russian Federation. This will only happen if the things I have just mentioned materialise, namely, the fully fledged weaponry and military support for Ukraine, sanctions and the consolidated position of the whole democratic world.

Regarding the question pertaining to Ireland's possible support in peacekeeping and peace building, Ireland is indeed famous for this particular policy and that support would be extremely important for Ukraine these days. I will now explain what these steps could look like.

First of all, in the humanitarian area, Russia has practically blocked the procedure of exchanging people. I mean people who were arrested in the occupied territory and, of course, people from Azovstal in Mariupol. This procedure is not happening and possible mediation through the United Nations and through other organisations will be very important and much appreciated.

Thousands of Ukrainian children were illegally deported to Russia or to the occupied territories. On the initiative of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we have now created a special group which has started working very hard to find these children and to prevent this illegal procedure. Just a couple of days ago, Putin signed a special law stating how Russians can adopt Ukrainian children in an absolutely illegal way. It is a big problem for us and now the President has given a very serious signal to the Government and to all Ukrainian institutes to work hard in this direction. We would appreciate if Ireland could participate in this job.

The programme of food security is of course very important. Russia has blocked practically all Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Now we are working with the United Nations, the United States and Turkey on how to unblock these ports and how to create humanitarian corridors and opportunities to export our harvest, the grains and other agricultural products. As I said in my statement, Ukraine is a big player in the food market. This is the biggest problem. We are currently working with many of our partners, including Mr. Guterres, but it is all still on the negotiation table. I think Ireland's voice and position will be very important.

I think we still have time and the committee will have the opportunity to ask more questions. The last question involved the people who have had to leave their city and their home places to travel but who are still in the territory of Ukraine. We have a special programme to support these people. They are mostly concentrated in the west of Ukraine. We would be very appreciative of any programmes of humanitarian help for these people. Our ministry of infrastructure is now looking at a special quick-build house programme where people could stay before they get the opportunity to return. We can connect our minister who carries out work with this group of the people with the Irish Government and they can communicate directly. In general, we would be appreciative of any humanitarian help because millions of our people are affected. The stress on our economy and the situation of our economy during these hundred days of the war means it is very difficult. Thank you.