Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I very much welcome what the Deputy says because it reminds us of the fact there is only one aggressor here. It is Russia. It is Putin. There is a President of Ukraine and a President of Russia. The President, Government and people of Ukraine are willing and ready to accept an unconditional ceasefire for a period of time to provide space for proper talks and negotiations on a lasting, just, enduring peace. Russia talks about peace but there is always a caveat, hurdle or obstruction. All the time while talking about it, obstructing and refusing to accept an unconditional ceasefire, it continues to bomb civilian infrastructure and attack Ukraine, its civilians and its energy infrastructure. I have been in Kyiv and met people whose homes have been destroyed by Russian shelling. Russia talks about peace but it is never just yet. That is why the world cannot let up and why, I think, we will need further sanctions against Russia, including at EU level.

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