Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the agreement of the House, I will share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne. A Chathaoirligh Gníomhach agus a Theachtaí, I thank you for the opportunity to have this important debate in Dáil Éireann today as we mark the third anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are at a critical moment in terms of the trajectory of Russia’s war in Ukraine. How Europe and the international community respond will have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, European security, international law and the future of a multilateral rules-based order.

This week three years ago, Russia launched an unprovoked and unjustified all-out aerial, sea and land invasion of its peaceful neighbour. Since then, indescribable suffering has been inflicted upon the people of Ukraine. Millions have been forced to flee their homeland, and millions more are internally displaced. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, with thousands more, including children, forcibly removed, tortured or arbitrarily imprisoned by Russian forces. Despite recent Russian rhetoric ostensibly seeking peace, the facts speak for themselves. Russian forces continue their offensive along the front line seeking additional territorial gains, while Russia’s relentless aerial bombardment on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure continues unabated. It is talking peace but practising war.

On Sunday evening, on the eve of the third anniversary, Russia launched its largest overnight drone attack against Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. Russia's aerial bombardments are indiscriminate and do not distinguish between military targets and civilian infrastructure. Their sole objective is to impose terror, inflict suffering and break the spirit of the Ukrainian people. These are not the actions of a country seeking peace.

The European Union has been steadfast in its solidarity with Ukraine since the first day of this terrible war. This solidarity was reaffirmed in the clearest manner this week. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, were in Kyiv on Monday, joined by a large number of European Commissioners, including our former colleague Michael McGrath, and the leaders of many countries. The Taoiseach joined by video link a summit of world leaders convened by President Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

In his remarks, the Taoiseach was clear in stating that in this dark moment, Europe needs to step up. We must say more, do more and spend more to ensure that Ukraine gets the supports it needs now to defend its territory and enter negotiations from a position of strength. If we do not do this, we will surely pay a much higher price down the line.

The EU’s continuing commitment to Ukraine was also a key issue at the Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended in Brussels on Monday. This was an important moment for the EU to reiterate our commitment to stay the course in support of Ukraine. At this meeting, I reaffirmed Ireland’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine. Ireland and our European partners have been clear. There can be "nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine". Equally, there should be "nothing about Europe, without Europe". I also discussed with my EU colleagues how Europe can step up its support for Ukraine at this critical time. Work will continue ahead of a special European Council that has been called on 6 March to further discuss the European response.

The House will be aware that recent developments in Washington and the resumption of political contacts between the United States and Russia have indicated shifting US policies and priorities. I believe in the importance of maintaining a strong EU-US relationship. We welcome the commitment of the United States to support the achievement of peace for Ukraine. We all want to see an end to this conflict and peace in Ukraine but how we make peace matters. We must aspire to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Ukraine must be central to any process and it must determine the timing and terms of any agreement. These principles guide Ireland and the EU’s approach on this key issue of fundamental importance for us all. We will engage with our American friends to make these points and reiterate that a bad deal for Ukraine is a bad deal for all of us.

The House will be aware of the important debates at the United Nations on Monday. The Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, was present in New York to restate Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The UN General Assembly voted in significant numbers in favour of a resolution setting out these fundamental principles. It calls for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, one based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Ireland, along with an overwhelming majority of EU member states, was proud to co-sponsor and vote in favour of this Ukrainian-led resolution. The House will be aware that the General Assembly also adopted by the same margin a resolution put forward by the United States but one that included crucial amendments supported by Ireland and our European partners.

Ireland has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine since day one of Russia’s war. Since February 2022, Ireland has committed over €380 million in political, humanitarian, economic and non-lethal military support to Ukraine. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Russia’s full-scale invasion triggered the largest displacement crisis in Europe in decades, with millions displaced and in need of continued, life-saving support. Access to the most basic needs, including water, shelter and protection services, continues to be extremely challenging for many.

During my visit to Kyiv in September, I witnessed the brutal consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion first-hand. While there I stood side by side with President Zelenskyy and signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement on support and co-operation between Ireland and Ukraine.

Ireland has also responded by welcoming Ukrainians displaced by the invasion to our country. Since February 2022, over 110,000 Ukrainians forced to leave their homeland have sought sanctuary in Ireland. Many of them remain and many have integrated well into Irish society and are contributing to our culture and local economies. I have no doubt that, in time, they will play a crucial role in rebuilding their country, when it is once again safe to do so.

It is clear that what Ukraine needs most right now is military support as it exercises its legitimate right to self-defence. Through the Department of Defence, we have provided direct military support in-kind. This includes ten tonnes of meals, 200 units of body armour, two mine flails, 30 Defence Forces vehicles, satellite communications systems, Reacher Robots and Giraffe radars, as well as €2 million to the information and communications technology, ICT, coalition we have joined with our European partners. Defence Forces personnel have also provided training support to 762 members of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Ireland has to date committed approximately €250 million in non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility. At EU level, the release of the majority of this funding under the European Peace Facility is currently blocked. Our priority must be ensuring that Ukraine gets this support quickly so it can defend its territory and enter negotiations from a position of strength. I will bring proposals to Government which will enable us to provide €50 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine as quickly and efficiently as possible. Discussions are ongoing at EU level on a further package of military support for Ukraine and Ireland is engaging actively in these discussions, in keeping with the Government’s established policy.

We need also to recall the challenge the current situation poses for European security and defence. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all EU member states have examined and re-examined their foreign, security and defence policies. This is also the case for Ireland. Our commitment to a values-based foreign policy, multilateralism and a policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of a rapidly changing and volatile international security environment that has become the new reality across Europe. We recognise the very real sense of threat felt by many of our fellow member states. This was clear from my meetings at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. We must respond to that. It is our duty and obligation to take our own security and our responsibility towards our like-minded partners, more seriously than ever.

Russia’s actions have undermined the foundations of the international rules-based system on which the United Nations is based. The principle that borders cannot be changed by force protects us all. Yet, a permanent member of the Security Council has cast that vital principle aside. This should concern us all. It must surely not be rewarded. During our term on the Security Council, Ireland delivered consistent, principled and powerful criticism of Russia’s war, in defence of the UN Charter and the people of Ukraine. We have supported all eight General Assembly resolutions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including successful action to exclude Russia from the Human Rights Council.

At the Council of Europe, Ireland has been a founding member of the register of damage and is actively participating in negotiations to establish a claims commission for Ukraine. Nuclear safety and security must apply in all circumstances, including in armed conflict. Ireland condemns Russia’s continued illegal occupation of a nuclear power plant. Only two weeks ago, a highly explosive drone struck the protective confinement shell of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The consequences of a nuclear incident, whether by accident or design, are unfathomable.

Over the past three years, we have heard horrific reports of the gross and systematic violations of human rights by Russia. There have been strikes on civilian infrastructure, strikes on hospitals and cynical so-called double-tap strikes that are designed to hit life-saving first responders. Bucha, Kharkiv and Mariupol are place names have become etched in our collective consciousness. That is why we must work to hold those responsible to account, including those responsible for effectively abducting and kidnapping the children of Ukraine. One of Russia’s most brutal and egregious crimes is that large-scale forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from their homes. Imagine taking people's children from them and offering them up for forced adoption. This may well amount to a war crime.

Ireland will continue to engage with international partners to promote accountability for Ukraine and its people. The International Criminal Court has now issued arrest warrants for six senior Russian suspects, including Putin. Ireland is a member of the core group of states that has recently made important strides towards establishing a special tribunal on the crime of aggression. In response to Russia’s illegal aggression, the European Union has adopted unprecedented sanctions. We must continue to exert maximum pressure on Russia and limit its ability to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine.

A broad range of sectoral sanctions have been put in place, including measures targeting Russia’s military, technology, transport and energy sectors. I welcomed the adoption of the 16th package of measures by the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. Together, these measures are having an impact. They are making it harder for Russia to access battlefield goods and generate revenue to pay for its illegal war.

The decision by the European Council to open accession negotiations with Ukraine offers the prospect of a brighter future for the Ukrainian people. In many ways, it is part of the security guarantee. Ukraine belongs in the European Union. Ukraine is part of the European family.

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