Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to support this motion, which unequivocally condemns the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, one year ago this Friday. As an Irish citizen, I strongly support the right of Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and its independence. As a European citizen, I strongly defend the European values of human rights, equality, the rule of law, democracy, freedom, and human dignity. Ukrainians should, like every single one of us in this Chamber and this country, enjoy those rights.

We need to recognise that Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago is part of a pattern. Russia invaded Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine in the past 20 years. This is part of an overall plan, and Ukraine has now said "No". I support Ukraine in that stance. War is not just about bombs and missiles; it is about murdering children, women and men. It is also about fear and terror, loss of life, loss of homes and sometimes loss of hope. We have seen the devastation of Bucha, the mass murder and rape of the population and the indiscriminate bombing of Mariupol as the Russian war machine smashes and obliterates all before it.

A number of amendments to the motion have been tabled but the haste with which we are working today makes it impossible to consider them in detail. However, it is crucially important that we do not draw any equivalence between a brutal aggressor and the persecuted. Equally, we know that a peaceful solution will have to be the final outcome and in that context I support President Zelenskyy's ten-point plan. It is a start and while there has been no reciprocity from Russia, nonetheless we have to find some way forward.

I do not support the amendment that condemns NATO activity in escalating the war. I understand the principle of not supporting NATO, but this morning we met some representatives from Romania who spoke of the protection offered by NATO and how essential it is for their security and freedom because they know from bitter experience how Russia has operated in the past. I know from speaking to people in Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other countries geographically close to Russia that this is also how they feel.

I am happy, as a Member of this Parliament, to speak out against Russian aggression and to see Ireland working with the UN and the EU to uphold the principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

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