Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues who have expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine. I think the situation is worthy of a strong response from the European Union, the United Nations and all international agencies.

When Senator Norris and I, among others, were elected to the Seanad for the first time in 1987, Ukraine was a province of the USSR, locked behind the Iron Curtain which divided the continent of Europe. A short few years later, the Berlin Wall fell and there was a changed political and economic situation in Europe. We all felt there was no going back to the bad old days of Soviet style pressure and bullying. Tragically, what we are seeing in Crimea and the threat to Ukraine must indicate that some leopards to not change their spots. The United Nations, the European Union and every member state must be very strong in its response to what Russia is attempting to do.

Tragically, we can now state with certainty that the lack of action by the UN and in particular by President Obama in respect of Syria has caused Mr. Putin to believe he can do what he wishes and there will be no significant or strong response. President Obama and others must stand up to the bullying threat from Russia and stand by the people of Ukraine. I look forward to listening to the response from the Tánaiste. Europe must stand strong and united on this issue or else the consequences could be quite terrible not just for Crimea and Ukraine but for the broader continent of Europe.