Taoiseach: Sanctions against Putin will be most severe ever considered 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to the media  following Thursday morning’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

The Taoiseach said sanctions against Russia, Putin and his "henchmen" will be "the most severe package we have ever considered".

Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, confirming the worst fears of the West with the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two.

Micheál Martin said the "attack on Ukraine's people is an outrageous and large breach of the most fundamental and basic principles of international law".

"Our thoughts must be with the innocent people of Ukraine. This is their most difficult hour. We stand with them. Today's use of force in pursuit of a warped perception of national interest is a serious affront."

Mr Martin said the Russian aggression presents the EU with the most grave security situation it has faced in decades, with repercussions for global security and for the world economy.

The Taoiseach is travelling to Brussels today to attend an emergency meeting of EU leaders, who are expected to sign off on further restrictions aimed at hurting Russia.

European Union sanctions will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy, blocking access to markets and technologies that will weaken Russia's economic base. Russian assets in the European Union will be frozen.

"President Putin and those who support him, will be held accountable," Mr Martin added. "It will be aimed to hit Putin and his henchmen where it hurts the most.

Actions have consequences and the consequences for them will be severe."

The Government is maintaining close contact with Irish citizens in Ukraine and the two Irish diplomats in the embassy in Kyiv, who are in a "safe place with European Union colleagues".

Ireland will be waiving visa requirements for Ukrainian families here to join relatives, the Taoiseach added.

Mr Martin warned against military intervention and said he believed economic sanctions were the most effective way to protect the lives of people.

"What do you see? Young soldiers, 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds, why does one leader decide they can lose their lives, as will inevitably be lost. Families will be bereaved.

"All of this could have been resolved, can be resolved. The protection of human life is extremely important. 

"That's what concerns me the most as people talk about strategies, geopolitics and so forth."

'Grim echoes of a much darker past'

Smoke rise from an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Picture: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka

Ireland will support any further sanctions against Russia, including measures that those could negatively impact financial services in this country.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil that Ireland "will not be putting any selfish economic interests ahead of responses required".

He said this would include sanctions that could "disrupt the banking and financial services that are used by Russians, whether in this State or another State" and the similar could apply to aviation.

Condemning the actions of Russia, Mr Varadkar said the attack on Ukraine has "grim echoes of a much darker past".

Not too far from here, families are leaving their homes, children are being bundled into their cars and martial law has been introduced in the face of an unwarranted and unjustified attach."

Sinn Féin's deputy Dáil leader Pearse Doherty asked whether the Government would now move to address so-called Section 110 companies, which he said are used to channel funds back to Russia from Dublin's IFSC.

"The IFSC is a major source of finance to the Russian economy with €180 billion funnelled from the IFSC to Russia between 2005 and 2017, second only in Europe to Luxembourg.

"Sanctions need to be targeted not only at the Russian Government, but also directed at the assets of those connected to Putin's state apparatus, many of whom live or hold significant assets in European capitals," Mr Doherty said.

Responding, Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government will fully support any further sanctions against Russia including banking, financial services and aviation sanctions.

Social Democrat TD Cian O'Callaghan raised the issue of Ukrainian citizens living in Ireland who have been trying to bring their family members to safety here for many weeks.

Mr Varadkar said a visa waiver is now in place to assist families.

"There are a small number of Irish citizens in Ukraine we need to make sure that they can leave if they choose to do so. And we also need to make sure that their families can get out from if they need to do so," he said.

Mr Varadkar added: "We are working to make sure that the family members of Ukrainian citizens who have settled here in Ireland are also assisted to leave Ukraine if they need to do so."

However, he said this would be "complicated" as there is a very small mission on the ground in Kiev and the Ambassador and staff have been moved to a safe place.