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

There is a lot of bilateral aid which member states themselves provide jointly. Many EU member states, not us, see the Russian invasion as existential, particularly the Baltic states and Poland. Initially, even German people felt the war posed an existential threat to the security of Germany. This is the context. It is arguable that the support given by many member states has stymied Russia's ambition to take over Ukraine. It was touch and go. When we speak to people in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Moldova they feel they are next if Russia succeeds. It is very much seen in existential terms by many of these countries. Europe is vulnerable from a security perspective. We have made our contribution in line with Government policy.

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