Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

363. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised at the United Nations and at the Foreign Affairs Council the security situation in the occupied part of the Ukraine along the border with Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62787/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland is a strong and consistent supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has condemned Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. The build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine is a matter of great concern. The potential effect of the build-up on the security situation in the non-government controlled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, which border Russia, is also of concern.  It is important that dialogue be maintained, with the primary goal of de-escalating tensions in the region. 

Ireland has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Ukraine at United Nations Security Council meetings on Ukraine, including at Arria formula meetings. We have also stressed our non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, encouraged full, secure and unimpeded access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, and called for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements. 

EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine at the Foreign Affairs Council on 13 December and, in my own remarks, I underlined the need for strong and unified messaging from the EU. In remarks after the Foreign Affairs Council, High Representative Borrell made clear that aggression against Ukraine, will come with political consequences and with a high economic cost for Russia. I and my counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council have dedicated significant time to the security situation in Ukraine this year, including through engagements with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. I also discussed these matters with Minister Kuleba when I travelled to Kyiv on 23 August to represent Ireland at the International Crimea Platform, a diplomatic initiative by Ukraine to seek a peaceful end to the illegal Russian occupation of the peninsula.