Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I was appalled at Mr. Navalny’s death, which further underpins the lack of respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Russia. There must be a full and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of his death.

My EU counterparts and I met with Yulia Navalnaya at the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 February, when we discussed the circumstances surrounding his death, and the EU’s response. In a statement following the Council, the EU confirmed it will keep its sanctions under review, including in response to the death of Mr. Navalny. Ireland will support any further EU sanctions targeted specifically at those directly responsible for Mr. Navalny’s death.

In respect of the March elections, Russia has not invited the OSCE to observe the Russian presidential elections, and Russian domestic legislation has been amended to prevent independent monitoring. During the 2018 election, the OSCE recorded restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and on candidate registration, which limited the space for political engagement, resulting in a lack of genuine competition. Along with our EU partners, we will closely follow the election, and discuss any further action.

In December 2023, the EU strongly condemned Russia’s announcement that it would hold Presidential elections in regions of Ukraine temporarily under the occupation of Russia and stated that the EU will never recognise the holding of Russia’s so-called “elections” or their results in the territories of Ukraine.

Accordingly, Ireland will not recognise as legitimate the results of any polls held in these regions of Ukraine while under the temporary occupation of Russia.