Labour’s support for a free, sovereign and democratic Ukraine
Labour’s support for a free, sovereign and democratic Ukraine - The Labour Party
Speaking in advance of an address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Houses of the Oireachtas, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Deputy Duncan Smith said:
“Today’s sitting is an opportunity to listen to the Ukrainian President as he outlines the horror inflicted on his country and his people by Russia’s dictatorial regime. It is also an opportunity that the Labour Party will take to affirm our solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their struggle against brutality and authoritarianism.
“In the face of ongoing aggression by Russia, the Ukrainian people continue to display immense bravery and resilience. We are now nearly four years into this war, a war that has shattered lives, displaced families and fundamentally changed the political landscape in Europe.
“The stakes for Europe are very high. We need to be clear that Russia will not stop in Ukraine. This is what our friends and allies in the Baltics believe to be true, and it is what we see in Russia’s interference in other parts of Europe through its hybrid tactics. We have a moral duty to stand with our allies in Europe, including Ukraine.
“Ireland’s most important contribution to Ukraine’s fight is the support we give to Ukrainian people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland. Thousands were forced to flee to Ireland seeking safety and refuge and they have become our neighbours, our classmates and our friends.
“In recent months, we’ve seen some opposition parties advocate diluting or removing our supports for Ukrainian refugees. Labour will never countenance such a proposal, and we will also speak out about Government attempts to limit current support levels.
“The Ukrainian cause and the Ukrainian people cannot be abandoned. This is not a war they wanted, provoked or sought. Rather, it is a war that was thrust upon them by an illegal invasion. No one is more tired of this war and its costs than the people of Ukraine and we support their efforts for a just and lasting peace.
“Labour will continue to voice our support for a free, sovereign and democratic Ukraine, taking its rightful place in the European Union. Like with Palestine, the history books will remember those who stood on the right side of history in this conflict, those who supported the Ukrainian people.”