Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to close this very important debate today. I also welcome our Ukrainian friends who are here in the Gallery, especially their truly excellent ambassador. I thank them for their continued advocacy. There was a sheer breadth of contributions over this period, from all parties and none, from such a range of Deputies. It is a rare time we see such universality and agreement reflected. That should be commended. I thank all Deputies for continuing to show their support and the support of the Irish Parliament and the Irish people for Ukraine.

lreland’s solidarity is firmly anchored in the unwavering position of support and solidarity shown by the European Union since day one of this latest illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression by Russia. EU unity has been the hallmark of our shared response over the past three years of war on European soil and it must continue thus. A collective European response has provided essential support to Ukraine as it fights to defend its freedom and to uphold the common values that unite us all as Europeans.

The EU remains as firmly committed to support Ukraine today as we mark this terrible anniversary. Together with our European partners, and here in this House, we recognise what is at stake. Russia’s war in Ukraine represents not just an existential threat and challenge for the people of Ukraine. It poses the greatest threat to the EU and European security since the Cold War. Along with our friends and partners in Europe, Ireland finds itself in an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment. In addition to the direct military threat Russia poses to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, we face a range of hybrid threats from which no country is immune. Russia has weaponised migration, food and energy in its efforts to undermine European stability and unity.

Russian state actors and aligned criminal groups operating from within the Russian territory have engaged in malicious cyber activity targeting critical infrastructure and democratic institutions across Europe. Ireland has also been directly targeted by this activity. We see a similar pattern around disinformation where the Kremlin and other malign actors continue to spread distorted and false narratives, not only linked to the ongoing aggression in Ukraine, but more broadly with a view to undermining European democracy. We see this also on our own soil. I take the points made by Deputy Cathal Crowe. I take the fact that I am sanctioned by the Russian Federation as a mark of credit. I am proud to see my name on that list, as is Deputy Crowe's.

We are at a critical juncture in the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. This is a defining moment for Ukraine and for the security of the European Continent. As President Zelenskyy has made clear, no one wants peace more than Ukraine. Ukraine must be directly involved in any potential peace negotiations and must define the terms and conditions under which it will enter into a peace agreement. We must make it very clear from here that there cannot be discussions about Ukraine without Ukraine. The EU and its member states collectively have provided more support to Ukraine than any other partner. Russia’s war directly threatens European security. There must be a European voice also in any negotiations. These negotiations must aim to arrive at a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and with justice and accountability at its heart.

Ireland is proud to have co-sponsored a resolution that was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Monday, which aims to further progress these efforts. Despite rhetoric from Moscow purportedly seeking peace, the facts simply do not bear this out. Escalations in hostilities, unpredictable attacks and mandatory evacuation orders continue to harm civilians across all regions of Ukraine. Last year the humanitarian crisis grew with intensified attacks across Ukraine, and with continued strikes on energy infrastructure leaving many to endure harsh winter conditions. Ireland has responded by providing more than €130 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine since February 2022. Our funding has provided essential humanitarian assistance with a focus on the most vulnerable, as well as support for early recovery efforts, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Irish people have also responded with generosity, welcoming more than 110,000 Ukrainians who have fled this conflict. I pay tribute to former Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, who mentioned his own role on this with the previous Government. I also share the opinions of Deputies Gibney and Ó Muirí in stating quite clearly that the Ukrainian people are welcome here and will continue to be welcome here for as long as is necessary. Of course real concerns have been raised on the future of the schemes, which I am assured the Government will lay out in clarity very soon.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports of gross and systematic violations of human rights by Russia have been consistent, including violations of the rights to life, liberty and security of persons. Human rights abuses include the large-scale forced deportation and imprisonment of civilians, mistreatment of prisoners of war, and repression in the partially occupied territories of Ukraine. I take to heart the very clear points made by Deputy Timmins on the treatment and capturing of children.

Ireland will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and call out Russia’s flagrant violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We must not become desensitised to the atrocities perpetrated by Russian forces and the immense suffering inflicted upon the Ukrainian population. lreland will continue to pursue accountability for Russian actions in Ukraine as part of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

I am conscious that Ukraine marks several important milestones this month. The Ukrainian response has impressed us all, with its determination, courage and resilience. At this critical moment, we in Europe and in Ireland must not falter in our resolve. If Russia is allowed to prevail, illegally seizing territory by force, and causing untold death and destruction with impunity, this will simply embolden President Putin, and give a green light to other actors to attempt the same. This is a question of right over might, and of respect for international law and the universal principles which underpin the multilateral system. What happens today in Ukraine, can tomorrow happen anywhere in the world.

We will continue to make the case to our global partners that the impacts of Russian aggression, and how we respond, go far beyond Ukraine, and beyond Europe. Our response to Russia’s aggression will act as a message to others who might seek to change international borders through the use of force. We must recall that while Ukrainians fight to defend their very existence, for Russia, it remains a war of choice. Their ongoing and relentless bombardment of civilians and civilian infrastructure makes clear that Russia has no intention of reaching a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Russia is also clearly looking for signs that European support for Ukraine is weakening. That is why now, more than ever, it is incumbent upon Europe to step up. Faced with such a critical threat to the security of our Continent the response of the European Union has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. Overall assistance to Ukraine pledged both at EU and member state level to date amounts to €134 billion, which includes financial, humanitarian, emergency, budgetary and military support.

On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted a 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting in EU history. These measures are having an impact, making it harder for Russia to access battlefield goods and revenue to pay for its illegal war. We must continue to exert maximum pressure and limit Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression.

We will continue to work with our EU partners to ensure Ukraine continues to get the support it needs to defend against Russia’s attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Now is the time for Europe to move forward, together, and constructively. We must say more, do more and commit more to ensure that Ukraine gets the support it so urgently needs to defend itself. Just as it did in direct response to the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the European Union must and will step up again. Ireland recognises that our continued support for Ukraine is not only the right thing to do, but is in our fundamental national interest. It is vital not only for the people of Ukraine, but for safeguarding the security of Europe as a whole. How we respond as an international community will have far-reaching consequences for the future of our rules-based system. This is why Ireland stands with Ukraine, now, and in the future.

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