Russia Ireland

2022 - 5 - 6

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Irish Examiner"

Tougher sanctions needed on Russian oil and gas, says British ... (Irish Examiner)

British Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston, delivering a keynote address at University College Cork, called for further sanctions on oil and gas from ...

He said the last 10 years have seen perhaps too many in the West being less than honest with themselves about the nature of the challenge we have faced from Russia and other autocratic states. He said too many Western countries have been less than honest with themselves over the past decade about the nature of the challenge posed by Russia and other autocratic states. Exploring the current situation in Ukraine, he said the international structures developed after World War II and evolved after the Cold War had failed to deal with the challenge posed by Russia.

British ambassador seeks tougher sanctions on Russia (RTE.ie)

He described Ukraine's victory as "a strategic imperative", adding that if Russian President Vladimir Putin wins it would encourage aggressors everywhere. Mr ...

We must cut off oil and gas imports so Putin has nowhere to go to fund his appalling war. We need to go further, including by being even tougher on sanctions. "The last ten years have seen perhaps too many in the West being less than honest with themselves about the nature of the challenge we have faced from Russia and other autocratic states," Mr Johnston said.

European Parliament demands return of 400 'stolen' aircraft from ... (The Irish Times)

Most of aircraft worth a combined $10bn are registered in Ireland and Bermuda.

It deplored the Russian government’s act as a “clear breach of international civil aviation rules” and warned of the potential for the lives of passengers to be put at risk as the usual safety procedures for the aircraft will not be possible. “Such a theft cannot be tolerated,” the text of the resolution reads, demanding “the immediate return of the [aircraft] in question to their lawful owners.” In a resolution adopted by a show of hands on Thursday, members of the European Parliament voted to demand the return of the aircraft.

EU Calls on Russia to Return Over 400 'Stolen Aeroplanes ... (SchengenVisaInfo.com)

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced Western powers to order immediate termination of leasing contracts for over 500 aircraft, with 78 out of these planes ...

However, they did criticise the Council’s decision to reduce funds for military mobility, which according to them, threatens European security. “The European Council’s decision to drastically cut funds for military mobility was a mistake that undermines European security, MEPs say. In addition, MEPs believe that all ships that want to stop at an EU port should be forbidden from re-fuelling their ships in Russian ports.

'We cannot ignore the part played by the EU and the US in Ukraine ... (Independent.ie)

THERE is a narrative in the West of goodies and baddies in the Ukraine war, “and if you do not talk in that narrative, then you are a baddie,” controversial ...

The expelled Russian diplomats, formerly based in Dublin, had been engaged in disinformation, he said. The left in Ireland had never appreciated the threat from Russia, he said. The solution “is actually demilitarisation,” she said. The very same people who gave the advice.” “Think about the consequences of what they’re saying. “Not a single Ukrainian life will be saved” by the European oil embargo, because only 30 of 195 countries internationally were imposing sanctions against Russia and it would trade elsewhere. “Not because I’m sorry for Russia, not because I’m on the Putin payroll, but because sanctions don’t work. She added: “I was really interested to see the comments of the Pope on this point. She quoted Ukrainian peace activist Yurii Sheliazhenko: “If you prepare for war, you get war. Who got the contracts? “It absolutely has. They invaded and violated Ukraine’s integrity,” she said.

Clare Daly says Ukrainian politicians made themselves 'puppets of ... (The Irish Times)

Irish MEP says conflict is now 'proxy war' between Nato and Russia.

The people of Ukraine have shown that the territory of Ukraine will not be taken over.” The invasion, she added, had led to a lot of Russiaphobia in Europe with Russian language speakers being targeted and Russian statues torn down. We are experiencing a democratic recession – a real crisis.” “Finally the HSE attack to bring it all back home a little. “It is Putin’s goal to undermine EU democracy. Ms Daly told the Roger Casement Summer School in Dún Laoghaire the consequence of that decision for the people of Ukraine is that “blood is being shed for a war which is of no benefit to them”.

'I just think it's really sad': Irish journalist sanctioned for Russian ... (Irish Examiner)

Irish journalist Bryan MacDonald has been included on a list of sanctions imposed by the British Government against a number of people it said were linked to ...

“I don’t have money to be placing in UK banks. However, he added the experience would be different for domestic-based media. He said he was inaccurately described as the head of the Russia desk at RT, when he was head of the Russia desk at RT.com which is “totally separate to the television, which they banned”. He worked on a freelance basis before that. It said RT is owned or controlled by ANO TV-Novosti, which is affiliated with the Russian government and carries out a “business in a strategically significant sector to the Government of Russia”. claimed he was using “both subtle and not-so-subtle" means to “influence more respectable western outlets’ coverage of the crisis in Ukraine”.claimed he was using “both subtle and not-so-subtle" means to “influence more respectable western outlets’ coverage of the crisis in Ukraine”. “Therefore, as an employee of RT, MacDonald is a member of, or associated with, a person involved in destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine, or obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia,” the sanctions list said. He said he was never asked to “spike" a story during his time on the Russia desk, “even stories critical of the government or critical of Putin”, and he was never told not to print anything. He described the media in Russia as “stratified”, with State media controlled by the Government with little if any criticism of Putin, and other layers of media not subject to the same scrutiny. In January, the US State Department said RT was one of Russia’s “key state-funded and directed global messengers within this ecosystem, using the guise of conventional media outlets to provide disinformation and propaganda support for the Kremlin’s foreign policy objectives”. This week, Mr MacDonald was included on a list of sanctions imposed by the British Government against a number of people it said were linked to Russian broadcasters and newspapers, who had helped spread disinformation and propaganda for the Kremlin. The sanctions list said Bryan McDonald – using both spellings of the surname — was “head of Russia desk for the English language edition of RT (formerly Russia Today)”.