The government met today to consider the ongoing serious situation caused by Russia’s illegal and immoral war on Ukraine and Ireland’s coordinated humanitarian, economic and diplomatic response to the crisis. The war is inflicting incalculable suffering on the Ukrainian people, with continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure by the Russian forces. The government, along … Read more
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on Saturday, where the two leaders discussed bilateral affairs and international security, as India continues to resist pressure to openly condemn Russia for its military actions in Ukraine. The two partners, pledging to boost trade between the two Asian … Read more
Russia said Sunday it has again fired its newest Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in Ukraine, destroying a fuel storage site in the country’s south. The Russian Defense Ministry also said it killed more than 100 members of Ukrainian special forces and “foreign mercenaries” when it targeted a training center in the town of Ovruch in northern Ukraine … Read more
China reported two Covid-19 deaths on Saturday, its first in more than a year, underlining the threat posed by an Omicron outbreak that has triggered the country’s highest case count since the pandemic’s onset. The National Health Commission said both deaths occurred in Jilin, the northeastern province which has been hardest hit by a nationwide … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin led a pro-government rally that was beset by “technical difficulties” and reports of people being forced to attend. The event marking the eighth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, which is not recognized by most countries, came three weeks into Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that has sparked fierce international condemnation. “We have … Read more
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European countries have halted their “citizenship-residence by investment” schemes. Countries such as the Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, and Portugal have halted their programmes for Russian citizens which provide so-called “golden visas” in return for significant investments. In Ireland, “golden visas” can be obtained through the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) which … Read more
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has tested positive for Covid-19 while in Washington for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. It was detected as part of Covid-19 screening required to enter the White House for a planned meeting with US President Joe Biden on St Patrick’s day. The White House insists any person visiting must undergo tests for … Read more
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has been addressed a meeting of European Education Ministers on the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The meeting focused, amongst other things, on making language provision available for all Ukrainians and ensuring access to third-level education. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Harris said,“Ireland and … Read more
Ninety-seven Ukrainian children have died since the start of Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in a speech to Canada’s parliament, pleading once more for allies to “expand” their support for Kyiv. In the video address, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia’s military of “destroying everything: memorial complexes, schools, hospitals, housing complexes.” “They’ve already killed 97 … Read more
An Irish journalist working as a Fox News cameraman, Pierre Zakrzewski, who was killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine on Monday has been described as a passionate and talented individual with an “indomitable” spirit. The photographer (55) died alongside Ukrainian journalist and producer, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, after the vehicle they were travelling in with reporter Benjamin Hall was struck by incoming … Read more
Russia said Sunday that negotiators were making headway at talks to resolve fighting in Ukraine, more than two weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered his army over the borders of its pro-Western neighbor. Leonid Slutsky, a senior member of Russia’s negotiating team, told the state-run television network RT that “significant progress” was made following several … Read more
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have held a bilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon. They discussed the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the profound global security, economic and humanitarian consequences. The Taoiseach, who had just come from a meeting of EU leaders in Versailles, emphasised the strength and unity of the EU response. … Read more
The Russian Embassy in Ireland has released a statement to Irish media, claiming that the bombing of a maternity hospital in Ukraine was a “hoax, carefully staged by the Ukrainian nationalists”. In a statement issued today, the Russian Embassy said the incident was created by “Ukrainian propaganda” and that the Russian Armed Forces are “not fighting the … Read more
The United States and its allies moved Friday to end normal trade relations with Russia, as President Joe Biden vowed the West would make Vladimir Putin “pay the price” for his invasion of Ukraine. Biden announced the new step, which would enable Western nations to inflict steep tariff hikes on Russian goods, in coordination with … Read more
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, with a number of government departments, the HSE (Health Service Executive) and state agencies, are working together to provide medical items to Ukraine in response to formal … Read more