Young Fine Gael, along with many other political youth wings, has called for the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador in response to the on-going invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
Fine Gael’s youth wing were among the first of such groups to call on the Irish government to expel the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In an open letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, Young Fine Gael (YFG) president’s, Art O’ Mahony, cited Ireland’s historic “trauma of imperial aggression” in calling on the government to “defend the principles of democracy and self-determination”.
The letter refers to the invasion as a “violation of international law” and “an assault on our liberal western values”.
YFG also called for five actions to be taken by the government in retaliation to Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. These actions included; the aforementioned expulsion of Ambassador Filatov, economic sanctions on Russia through the EU; condemning Russia at the UN Security Council, which Ireland currently holds temporary membership; support for NATO; and amending the 1954 Defence act which grants Russia a veto over deployment of troops.
Many protests, both nationally and internationally, have denounced Russia’s invasion. Chairman of the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee, Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan, called on Mr Filatov to leave the country last week. Flanagan stated that the ambassador had “lied to our parliamentary committee” in early February.
The chair of DCU’s YFG branch, Cormac Docherty said expelling the Ambassador would send a signal of support to Ukraine from Ireland. He also mentioned more “practical solutions” to show support such as the provision of “food and medical supplies for those devastated by the conflict”.
DCU YFG hosted a bake sale last Friday for the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal on Glasnevin campus.
Speaking to The College View President O’ Mahony stated that while the “letter has been acknowledged… the Department (of Foreign Affairs) have not changed their position”.
Speaking to Morning Ireland earlier this week, Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs, refused to answer calls to expel Ambassador Filatov. Coveney highlighted the importance of “a direct line of communication with Moscow” the government can “let them know the Irish view very directly, in terms of Russian actions”.
Ambassador Filatov appeared on Russian media last week accusing Irish media of painting a “absolutely tendentious picture” of the invasion of Ukraine. Filatov also acknowledged the subsequent vandalism that has taken place at the Russian embassy during protests outside the premises, which he states is being investigated by the Gardaí.
Theo McDonald
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