Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his recent interactions with the European Union in relation to the continuing situation with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48807/22]

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

The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Member States, including Ireland, have collectively welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Mechanism. The EU has also imposed the most extensive package of sanctions in its history, in response to Russia's aggression, and in coordination with other like-minded partners.

EU Foreign Ministers met in New York on 21 September together with our Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba where he updated us on the latest developments in Ukraine. We reiterated our strongest condemnation of the plans by Russia to organise so-called “referenda”, with the aim of annexation by Russia of parts of Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk, and the Zaporizhzhia regions. We agreed that additional restrictive measures should be brought forward in response to this blatant violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

EU Leaders issued a statement in response to the announcement by President Putin of his intention to illegally annex the four regions on 30 September, noting that EU Heads of State and Government firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, continue to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and will continue to provide strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine for as long as necessary.

EU Member States also coordinated to summon Russian Ambassadors in capitals. On 3 October, the Russian Ambassador was summoned by my Department to inform him that Ireland categorically condemns the declaration by the Russian Federation on 30 September illegally annexing part of the territory of Ukraine. He was also informed that such a decision has no basis in law, that the move does not reflect the freely expressed will of the people of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and that the annexation will never be recognised by Ireland.

An eighth sanctions package is currently being discussed at EU level, in response to the organisation of illegal referendums in the occupied regions, and the announcement by President Putin of partial mobilisation in Russia and threats of the use of weapons of mass destruction. Ireland joined Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in co-signing a Polish paper proposing measures ahead of the tabling of the proposed eighth package by the Commission.

The EU has also provided €55 million in support to the Ukrainian military through the European Peace Facility, with Ireland's share contributing towards the provision of non-lethal equipment.

EU Member States have remained united in support of Ukraine throughout Russia's war of aggression and I expect this unity of purpose will continue in the coming months.