'We are ready to ensure peace': Ambassador to Ireland denies Russia is preparing for war

A Russian marine runs during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus. Picture: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

The Russian ambassador to Ireland has denied that Russia is preparing for war in Ukraine, saying “we are ready to ensure peace”.

A long-feared Russian invasion of Ukraine appears to be imminent, if not already underway, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering forces into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.