Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Friday we will mark one year since Russia commenced a full-scale illegal and immoral invasion of its neighbour, Ukraine. That invasion was unprovoked, unlawful and unjustified. That invasion was the choice of one man seeking to impose his distorted vision on the people of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine have made clear in their response and in their defence of their nation that they reject this vision. In the last year we have seen horrific death and destruction unleashed by Russia's illegal and unjustified war. We have seen Russia's blatant disregard for human life, the UN Charter, international law and international humanitarian law. Russia has ruthlessly targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure as it seeks to starve and freeze the people of Ukraine into submission.

Ireland has been to the fore in supporting international efforts to hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity to account. We are supporting the work of the International Criminal Court and have been active at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, in Vienna, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and at the OECD and UNESCO in Paris. We used our seat on the UN Security Council throughout 2022 to call for Russia to be held accountable.

Russia's war has seen the deaths of tens of thousands of Ukrainian men, women and children, as well of thousands of young Russian soldiers, for whom Putin has little regard. It has forced more than 13 million people to flee their homes in search of safety. More than 8 million refugees, who are mostly women and children, have sought protection across Europe. More than 5 million people have been displaced within Ukraine and millions more have been forcibly deported to Russia and held in contravention of international law. Despite all this, Ukraine remains steadfast in its resistance and the defence of its democratic principles.

The effect of Russia's war is being felt across the world. Russia's actions have seen the world's most vulnerable people suffer from increased food and economic insecurity due to the rising cost of energy and commodities. Ireland remains fully committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally-recognised borders. Those borders have not changed and Russia's use of force will not change them. Ireland calls on the Russian Federation to immediately cease hostilities and unconditionally withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine. We call on the Russian Federation to refrain from further threats or the use of force of any kind, including nuclear weapons, against Ukraine or any other state, which could have serious implications beyond the region.

Ireland and the European Union are responding to alleviate the global impact of Russia's senseless war, including through the EU solidarity lanes and the Team Europe response to global food insecurity, as well as our bilateral humanitarian support in the countries most affected. We support the Black Sea grain initiative, which must be continued to allow lifesaving grain to reach those who need it. We will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and the most vulnerable around the world. They have chosen the path of freedom and the right to make their own choices.

They have chosen a European path. The people of Ukraine are part of our European family.

As we said at the UN General Assembly on 24 February 2022, "Ireland's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its right to choose its own foreign and security policy path is unwavering". We will again address the UN General Assembly tomorrow and our message remains unchanged. Russia's actions are not just a threat to Ukraine but to the entirety of the UN membership. All states rely on the rules-based international order for their prosperity, independence and sovereignty. If we fail to hold Russia accountable and respond to its attack on the UN Charter, we will only encourage other states to believe they can similarly achieve their objectives by brute force. This is a war of choice. Just as Russia chose to start this war, it can choose to end it. We will support all efforts to bring an end to this conflict with a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter. I call on all Members across the House to endorse this motion in support of the Ukrainian people.

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