Tánaiste conveys concern to Russian Ambassador

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has told Russian Ambassador Maxim Peshkov of the Irish Government’s deep concern at Russia’s actions in the Ukraine.

Mr Gilmore met the Ambassador in Government Buildings this afternoon.

Afterwards Mr Gilmore told the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs that Russia’s actions in Ukraine were in breach of international law.

“I have just come from a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Ireland in which I expressed our condemnation of Russia’s actions in Crimea, and requested that Ambassador Peshkov convey Ireland’s deep concern to his government,” Mr Gilmore said told the committee.

He repeated the view he expressed in Brussels yesterday that what is happening in the Crimea is the worst crisis Europe has faced since the end of the Cold War

“I have strongly condemned Russia’s actions over the weekend and call on it to immediately withdraw troops to their barracks. Russia’s actions are in clear breach of international law and of their obligations to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” added the Tánaiste.

He said the EU wanted to see a peaceful solution to the current crisis and stood ready to engage in talks with all parties to resolve it.

“We will work with the United Nations and the OSCE to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this dangerous situation. However, at yesterday’s emergency Council, the EU sent a very strong message to Russia.

“If the Russian authorities do not de-escalate this crisis, the EU will take consequential action, including suspending talks on visa liberalisation and on a new economic agreement, both of which are priorities for the Russian Government. Foreign Ministers will continue to monitor this situation very closely and we stand ready to implement further targeted measures as necessary,” said Mr Gilmore.

He recalled that it was the announcement on November 21st by Ukraine’s President Yanukovych, of his decision to postpone preparations for the signature of the Association Agreement at November’s Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius that triggered major protests in Ukraine late last year.

“The initial protests were overwhelmingly peaceful yet were met just over a week later by heavy handed police action which only served to inflame the situation.”

Mr Gilmore said it was right for the EU Council to convene in extraordinary sessions given last month’s violent clashes between protestors and security forces, which resulted in so many deaths, coupled with the deeply disturbing developments in Crimea since last weekend.

“The situation remains extremely dangerous though thankfully there are no reports of armed clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces thus far. As I made clear to Ambassador Peshkov a short time ago, there is an urgent need for Moscow to de-escalate the situation.”

The Tánasite said the EU Foreign Ministers had adopted conclusions strongly condemning the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty by the Russian armed forces as well as the authorisation given by the Federation Council of Russia on March 1st for the use of the armed forces on the territory of Ukraine.

“We agreed that these actions are in clear breach of the UN Charter and the OSCE Helsinki Final Act, as well as of Russia’s specific commitments to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 and the bilateral Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership of 1997. We called on Russia to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing, in accordance with the Agreement on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet stationing on the territory of Ukraine of 1997.

We also commended the government in Kiev for the measured response demonstrated so far in the face of this provocation.”

He said the EU stood ready to facilitate a political settlement in Ukraine that was democratic, lasting and fulfiled the legitimate aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

“However, it is, ultimately, a matter for the people of Ukraine to decide on their own future and they should be enabled to do so without external pressure. The organisation of democratic elections in May which are transparent, free and fair will provide them with an opportunity to make that decision.

“We continue to monitor the evolving situation. The risk of all-out conflict in Crimea and Ukraine as a whole is real. I believe that it is in everybody’s interest, including that of Russia, to do everything possible to step back and take de-escalating measures. And it is fundamental that Ukraine’s territorial integrity, unity and independence be fully respected.

“The European Council has been convened for Thursday of this week to consider the matter further,” he said.