Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As this House rises for the summer recess tomorrow, that day will also mark 140 days of hostilities by Russia against Ukraine. That is 20 weeks during which ordinary Ukrainian citizens have suffered, have been displaced and have been killed in their homes, towns and communities. One of the issues our Ukrainian friends face is keeping the war imposed upon them by Russia to the forefront of the news. The real danger is we will forget what is happening on a daily basis throughout Ukraine, and eastern Ukraine in particular, including the displacement of citizens and the victimisation of ordinary, innocent people.

What is perhaps most galling is this happens and continues to happen at the same time as certain Irish MEPs are denying that Russia is culpable, or that it is at fault or to blame, for this sacrifice of humanity going on in Ukraine. It is not only important we remember what is happening, keep the Ukrainians to the forefront of our minds and constantly remind ourselves an illegal invasion of their homeland is still going on, we must also remember to call out those who are peddling propaganda from the Kremlin. It cannot be tolerated in a free and democratic Irish politics. Of course, people can say what they like but when it is objectively untrue, and they are peddling propaganda from a rogue state that is conducting an illegal invasion, it must be challenged and we must say we will not accept it.

We stand with Ukraine. We continue to keep the Ukrainian people in our hearts and minds as they continue to repel an illegal Russian invasion.