Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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421. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that Ireland is taking in response to the Russian Federation's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. [11460/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its right to choose its own foreign and security policy path is unwavering.

The decision by the Russian Federation to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities contravenes international law, is a blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and marks a clear and unilateral breach of the Minsk agreements.

On Friday 25th February, the EU adopted a strong sanctions package which will have a long lasting effect on the Russian economy including on the oligarchs and individuals who have supported the invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Ministers decided to add to the sanctions package previously agreed by EU leaders. The names of President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov have been added to the list of Russians who will have their assets frozen in the EU.

On behalf of Ireland I made the case for the inclusion of SWIFT in a further package of sanctions expected to be agreed in the coming days.

We discussed the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s aggressive attack and encouraged support for a humanitarian response from the EU. Ireland has already allocated €10m for humanitarian action.

The measures announced by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, allow visa free access for Ukrainian citizens to travel to Ireland. These are an important practical measure of solidarity with Ukrainians living in Ireland and those who are affected in Ukraine.

At the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Friday EU Foreign Ministers consulted on diplomatic measures and decided not to expel Russian Ambassadors. This and other possible diplomatic measures remain on the table. We will continue to keep this situation under close review in coordination with other EU Member States.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have a responsibility to consider the potential impact of decisions I take on our ability to assist Irish citizens in Russia and Ukraine and we are maintaining a clear line of communication for now.

Our diplomatic team has now left Ukraine and our Kyiv Embassy will operate on a remote basis from Dublin.

On my instruction, the Secretary General of my Department summoned the Russian Ambassador on Friday 25th February to make clear the government’s strong condemnation of the invasion and Russia’s gross violation of international law and the UN charter.