Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Three years ago, Ukrainians awoke to a living nightmare. Russian forces had launched a full-scale invasion with the intention of destroying Ukraine's democracy and snuffing out its existence as a sovereign independent state. Russian tanks rolled across the border, Russian troops rushed to seize key objectives and Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian cities. This was not simply a land grab or an attempt to influence an election; this was Russia attempting to fully subjugate and occupy its neighbour. The goal was simple, in applying tactics not seen since the Second World War to recreate a sphere of influence which collapsed with the end of the Cold War. All of this was justified by a sophisticated 21st century disinformation campaign. Russia expected Ukraine to fold and for the rest of the world to simply accept that. How wrong it was. Across multiple fronts, Ukraine's soldiers conducted a defence which was heroic and ingenious. Russian troops intending to take Kyiv turned tail and ran, and Ukraine survived.

Since the beginning of the invasion, Ireland and our fellow European Union member states have stepped up to support Ukraine and its people in their struggle for sovereignty. Ireland has hosted over 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war. I was proud to join a march through my home town of Nenagh last Saturday to stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian community who have called Nenagh and north Tipperary their home. I am proud beyond measure that my community is so actively demonstrating our country's humanitarian, decent values in providing a place of safety for those forced from their homes by the brutal unjustifiable war of aggression. Across Tipperary, Ireland and Europe, Ukrainians have been welcomed into our homes and communities with warmth, understanding and compassion.

I welcome the commitment by the Government to provide further aid to Ukraine, including through donating air defence equipment.

There has been much speculation and comment in recent days on the prospects of talks to end this war. Like the millions of Ukrainians displaced across Europe and those bravely fighting on the front lines against Russian brutality, I would welcome a return to peace in Ukraine. However, we must be clear that when Russian tanks rolled across Ukraine's frontier in February 2022, they passed a point of no return. It cannot be business as usual with a frozen conflict ripe for Russian manipulation in years to come. We cannot forget the massacres at Bucha, the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and the brazen attempt to remove Ukraine from the map.

There is a moral and security imperative for Russia to be held to account for the horrors it unleashed. In this regard, I welcome the recent progress towards the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. I also commend Commissioner Michael McGrath on his continued leadership on behalf of the European Commission.

We must ensure that the €210 billion in Russian state assets frozen within the EU are fully utilised by Europe to the benefit of Ukraine and its people in reparation for the destruction caused. Whatever form a negotiated settlement takes we must be clear on two things. First, Russia is and will remain a threat to Europe and our democratic way of life. Second, we must take concrete and robust measures to protect ourselves and European partners from future Russian aggression. As the Taoiseach stated recently, it is time for us to get serious on defence. I would like the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people living in north Tipperary and Nenagh to know that they are welcome in Ireland and in my home area for as long as they need a safe place and a home to call their own.

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