Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to respond to both Deputies on what Deputy Dowds called the worst crisis Europe has faced since the end of the Cold War. Both the European Union and the Government have strongly condemned Russia's actions over the weekend and they call on Russia to withdraw troops to their barracks immediately. Russia's actions are in clear breach of international law and its obligation to respect Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Yesterday the Tánaiste had a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Ireland at which he expressed Ireland's condemnation of actions in Crimea. He requested that the ambassador convey our deep concern to his government. On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the unfolding events in Ukraine, and a comprehensive set of conclusions was adopted. The European Union wants to see a peaceful solution and stands ready to engage in talks with all parties to resolve the crisis. We will work with the United Nations and the OSCE to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this very dangerous and volatile set of circumstances. However, at Monday's emergency Council meeting, the European Union sent a very strong message to Russia to the effect that if Russian authorities do not de-escalate the crisis, the Union will take consequential action, including through suspending talks on visa liberalisation and a new economic agreement, both of which are priorities for the Russian Government. Foreign Ministers will continue to monitor developments closely. We stand ready to implement further measures if necessary.

To underline the seriousness of this matter, the European Council will meet tomorrow to consider its response further. It is worth recalling that it was the announcement on 21 November 2013 by ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych of his decision to postpone preparations for the signature of the association agreement at November's Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius that triggered major protests in Ukraine. The initial protests were overwhelmingly peaceful, yet they were met just over a week later by heavy-handed police action, which served only to inflame the situation.

The issue has featured prominently in the agendas and conclusions of successive foreign affairs Councils this year, including at emergency Council sessions devoted to Ukraine on 20 February and earlier this week. It was right for the Council to convene these sessions given the violent clashes between protesters and security forces which resulted in so many deaths, coupled with the deeply disturbing developments in Crimea since last weekend. The situation remains extremely dangerous although, thankfully, there are no reports so far of clashes between the armed forces of Russia and Ukraine.

The Tánaiste made it clear that there is an urgent need for Moscow to de-escalate the situation. The conclusions agreed at Monday's meeting strongly condemn the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and agree that these actions are in clear breach of the UN Charter and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, Helsinki Final Act as well Russia's specific commitments to respect Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances 1994 and the bilateral Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership 1997. We call on Russia immediately to withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing in accordance with the 1997 agreement on the status and conditions of the Black Sea fleet stationed on the territory of Ukraine. We also commend the government in Kiev on the measured response demonstrated so far in the face of this provocation.

The EU is ready to facilitate a political settlement. However, this is ultimately a matter for the people of Ukraine as they must decide on their future. The organisation of democratic elections in May which are transparent, free and fair will provide them with an opportunity to make that decision.

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