At the European Council meeting today, the Taoiseach should propose that Russian ambassadors across the region are expelled en masse
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is unprecedented, unprovoked and perverse, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon.
“What we are witnessing is unprecedented in Europe in our lifetimes – a full-scale assault and invasion of one State by another for the first time since the Second World War. Distressing footage of airstrikes and bombs causing devastation on the ground are already circulating on social media.
“There can be no room for equivocation about the identity of the aggressor in this grave situation – Russia. This attack, ordered by President Putin, is entirely unprovoked and will cause catastrophic loss of life, injury and suffering among the Ukrainian people.
“The sanctions that follow these perverse acts of war must be swift and onerous. They must be wide-ranging and significant, and create real hardship for President Putin and the Russian elite, if they are to prove any kind of deterrent to this illegal incursion.
“Further, at the European Council meeting today, the Taoiseach should propose that Russian ambassadors across the region are expelled en masse. A strong message must be sent to the Kremlin – the EU stands united against their naked aggression.”
“This is a pivotal moment in European history, in which the security of the entire region has been imperilled. The EU must act decisively and with determination to try to bring this invasion to a swift end.”
24 February, 2022
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