John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48828/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has unequivocally rejected the recent sham referendums in Russian partially-occupied regions of Ukraine. The votes were illegal and illegitimate. I categorically condemn the announcement by the Russian Federation of its intention to illegally annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Such a decision has no basis in law and this move does not reflect the freely expressed will of the people of these regions. It is a ploy to further undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in violation of the Principles of the UN Charter and international law. The move is an unlawful attempt to try to justify Russia’s aggression and represents a dangerous escalation.

Ireland will never recognise Russian claims over these regions and we call on Russia to end its aggression immediately, to comply with its obligations under international law, and to withdraw all forces unconditionally from the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

On 30 September we were proud to vote in favour of a draft UN Security Council Resolution on Illegal so-called Referenda in Ukraine and categorically rejected the so-called results of those illegal and illegitimate referenda, and announcements purporting to annex Ukrainian territory. Ireland made clear that they have no legal effect and that Ukraine’s borders have not changed. They violate the UN Charter and Russia’s obligations under international law.

The Resolution we supported at the Security Council did not pass, as the Russian Federation used the veto in a flagrant attempt to excuse its own military aggression against Ukraine. The use of the veto in these circumstances is reprehensible and undermines the legitimacy of the Council. However, this veto will not prevent the international community from responding to Russia’s breaches of international law.