>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Ireland as he delivered an emotional pitch for his country to be allowed to join the EU last night.In a roll call of how much he felt each country supported Ukraine’s emergency application to join the EU, he said: “Ireland – well, almost”.
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>His remotely delivered speech was the third of the day to Western leaders as they gathered in Brussels for an unprecedented day of summits of Nato, G7 and European Council leaders gathered to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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>After appealing to Nato leaders for “unlimited” military support, in his speech to European leaders Zelensky got highly personal, making a roll call of countries and their level of support for Ukraine.Zelensky thanked EU leaders for working together to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, including Germany’s decision to block Russia from delivering natural gas to Europe through the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline.But he criticised them for not taking the steps earlier, saying there was a chance Russia would have had second thoughts about invading.
He then appealed to the EU leaders, gathered on Thursday in Brussels, to move quickly on Ukraine’s application to join the bloc. “Here I ask you, do not delay. Please,”
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>Zelensky said by video from Kyiv. “For us this is a chance. “He then listed the 27 member countries, noting those he said were “for us.” He appealed to Germany and particularly to Hungary not to block Ukraine’s bid.“Lithuania – for us. Latvia is for us. Estonia is for us. Poland is for us,” he said.“France, Emmanuel [Macron], I really believe that you will be for us. Slovenia is for us. Slovakia – for us. The Czech Republic is for us. Romania knows what dignity is, so it will stand for us at the crucial moment. Bulgaria stands for us. Greece, I believe, stands with us. Germany … a little later. Portugal — well, almost … Croatia stands for us. Sweden – yellow and blue should always stand together. Finland – I know you are with us. The Netherlands stands for the rational, so we’ll find common ground. Malta – I believe we will succeed. Denmark – I believe we will succeed.”He continued: “Luxembourg – we understand each other. Cyprus – I really believe you are with us. Italy – thank you for your support! Spain – we’ll find common ground. Belgium – we will find arguments. Austria, together with Ukrainians, it is an opportunity for you. I’m sure of it. Ireland – well, almost.”
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>Zelensky is due to address the Oireachtas on April 6. Last week, Zelensky thanked Taioseach Micheál Martin “for helping the people of Ukraine” in a phone call with the Taoiseach.
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>In a tweet, Mr Zelensky said he and Mr Martin “discussed countering aggression and horrific crimes of Russia against civilians”.He also “expressed condolences over the murder of Irish journalist Pierre Zakrzewski by Russian soldiers”.The Taoiseach said he told Zelensky that the “Irish people stand fully behind Ukraine” and that Zelensky “thanked us for our continued humanitarian aid, shelter, global support and sanctions against Russia”.
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>The Taoiseach has previously said Ireland would support an accelerated application by Ukraine to join the EU but that the country may not be able to join immediately.
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>Zelensky laid down a marker for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has for years nurtured close ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. “Hungary … I want to stay here and be honest. Once and for all,” Zelensky said.“You have to decide for yourself who you are with. You are a sovereign state. I’ve been to Budapest. I adore your city. I have been many times – very beautiful, very hospitable city. And people, too. You have had tragic moments in your life. I visited your waterfront. I saw this memorial … Shoes on the Danube Bank,” he said, referring a monument to Hungarian Jews murdered during World War II.“Listen, Viktor, do you know what’s going on in Mariupol? Please, if you can, go to your waterfront.”The gathered leaders issued a statement reiterating their previous position on Ukraine’s application and demanded an immediate end to Russia’s aggression.“
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>The European Council reiterates its invitation to the Commission to submit its opinion in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties,” the leaders stated. “The European Union will continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support.” Questioned about what more Ireland can do for Ukraine, a Ukrainian MP has said he is aware that Ireland does not have enough military weapons to send to Ukraine but that it could push for more in negotiations with the United Nations.Volodymyr Ariev said he is “very grateful” for the military aid Ukraine has received thus far. He is currently in Kyiv. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, Mr Ariev said he is not disappointed by the response from Europe as it is not a “fast process”.
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> Ireland is currently making €22 million available for humanitarian and medical aid and has already taken in arond 10,000 refugees.“
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>I cannot say that we’re disappointed, the waking up of Europe is not a fast process but we understand that Europe needs the time to understand that it’s inevitable but to help Ukraine with all kinds of aids,” he said.“ Military aids, sanctions like imposing energy trade embargo with Russia and embargo the supply companies for arms. And to support Ukraine joining EU as well as it’s important to break down Russian plan to restore Soviet Union.“ I do think that the public opinion will push more and more and I’m really grateful to all people living in Europe because they’re reflecting to the advance in Ukraine and pushing up governments to act more affective.”
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>Mr Ariev said weapons are vital to “beat Putin” and that the entire European economy will suffer as a result. “To reduce the level of, the weight of refugees, it means only one thing that we need to have weapons to stop this war, to beat Putin. This economy will suffer, European economies will suffer anyway but Ukrainian refugees will come back, I’m pretty sure most of them will come back to Ukraine to restore our country,” he said.
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>“They’re looking for safe time during the war. I do think that it could be a joint decision, I can understand it, Ireland might not have enough weapon to give to it to Ukraine. But the negotiations inside the UN could push up the States who could do that.”“We need more decisive to support Ukraine in our struggle for existing. As long as NATO shying away to arrange serious aid, Russia will keep on bombing us, Ukrainian citizens will suffer.
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>We need alliance to be more decisive and to not be afraid to support victory over insane Putin plans to change the map of Europe.”
It took the UK, 5 years to leave the EU. And that’s still a mess. It’s a long and drawn out process that requires preconditions that Ukraine did not meet before the invasion. Plus there are other countries that are going through this process for years and are closer to meeting these conditions.
Yoi cant just join in a few months. This doesn’t mean the EU cant support the Ukraine and help rebuild it.
Wtf I love Putin now? 🇷🇺😍🥰
Yeah well we need the have guns before we can send guns
[deleted]
Dickhead comment especially considering we’re apparently accepting 250,000 refugees.
There’s an elephant in the room when it comes to Zelensky, and it is how he has been using the current crisis as a platform to try to guilt and strong arm other countries into giving him what he wants. What’s going on in Ukraine is abhorrent, Putin is a war criminal; but Zelensky has shown political naivety repeatedly in his requests for military intervention. He must realise that many of the things he asks/demands of the strong military nations will 100% incur a third World War, yet he continues to insist on it. He forgets Ukraine is not in Europe, not in NATO. Ukraine is a sovereign state undergoing a brutal attack. He must know that such actions will result in the deaths of more people, in other nations. Perhaps even the death of us all. Yet still countless nations, including our own, have given a level of support that has not been seen in generations, and yet he demands more and shames us for not doing enough?
*edited for jumbled words.
[removed]
Mmmm…we’ve sent tons of Aid, we’re taking in tons of refugee’s. We are a neutral country. I don’t know what he meant by that to be honest.
So what about all these refugees? Should we send them back?, your mans a bit cheeky isn’t he
IRL haven’t weapons not in NATO or G7
I think his rethoric right now is a shoot for the moon and hope you at least hit the stars type of scenario. He knows both EU membership and NATO membership aren’t feasible right now, but he’s using those nos as leverage to get more aid and weapons.
If you look at Germany, that worked. Initially, they were sending 5000 helmets. They’ve worked their way up to sending much, much more than that now.
Sanctions too have become more and more substantial and a lot more countries are on board with them than initially.
He is a pushy fucker and I can see how that might not go down well for some, but if that gets him a few more missiles so his country exists after this, I can’t begrudge it.
Do we even have weapons to send? Or other military equipment? Not long ago they were saying we can barely kit out our own guys.
Edit: am I not allowed ask this?
What do you mean ‘well, almost’? Haven’t we taken in loads of Indian, Pakistani and African refugees because of this war for you?
My question is and is because I actually don’t know
But besides aid do we even have weapons we could send over? I can’t imagine we have more then 20 anti tank rockets here in Ireland so like I’m not even sure what type of weapons he could send.
And also we are taking on 200k of his people into Ireland for the size of us they is a big task to undertake……and I’m happy we are doing that don’t get me wrong but it’s kind of shit hearing him saying we aren’t doing enough
The last time a country acceded to the EU was 2013. Turkey have been approved but almost 20 years later still haven’t acceded. Big requirements nowadays are unanimous member state approval, adoption of the Euro and Schengen.
It’s a nice thought that Ukraine would like to join the EU, and I’m sure they can succeed in that goal. But it’s not going to happen overnight. It doesn’t take a few weeks, months or years. It can take decades. I wish them well.
Zelensky is not being realistic about EU membership. Even without this war it would be a decade long endeavour. Has a domestic referendum even passed in Ukraine?
Fair enough. I am not sure I stand for Ukraine joining the EU right now. At the end of the day it wasn’t the most politically stable country before all this happened. They only recently got rid of a president that was basically a Russian puppet. Also the EU has always had a certain ethos when its come to social progress and human rights and I think they need to set higher standards on where countries are at in terms of social progress before allowing them to join. By all means lets help them get where they need to be to join. But lets not side step the already low (imo) standards to expedite the process.
Probably because of two of our MEPs spreading Putinist propaganda; internationally embarrassing.
That would put us in line with most European states, the majority of whom think two world wars were more then enough
He’s really not in a position to “throw shade,” but this US-backed leader should be grateful Ireland has been very generous for its neutrality in this.
Didn’t Wallace and Daly vote against them joining? Might have something to do with that
Does this US puppet ever shut the fuck up?
“Under attack from Russia” alone should not be a reason to be let into the EU, I would have thought. I respect Zelensky for many things, but this is desperate.
Hi Ireland. Whatever Zelenskyy says, we as people are grateful for your support (and taking our refugees in). I believe he took a very firm stance since if he keeps sugar coating, his words won’t have much impact. Yes, it might shoot us back in the foot. But this is how I interpret it.
I guess the money Ireland sent over in support , and the truck of supply aid that were sent over as well as thousands of refugees we’ve taken in to support them is not standing for Ukraine. We basically sacrificed our neutrality for him to say “well the kinda stand for us but not really”
I say we take back his gold card for coppers, that’ll learn em
The EU already has huge issues with Poland and Hungary not living up to the code. Hungary is basically an authoritarian regime in the heart of Europe.
At the moment, Poland and Hungary can block any measure that they don’t like, and protect each other from negative consequences. They have LGBT exclusion zones. They rig elections. They tried to tank the Covid stimulus bill (unless they got special concessions that let them use the funds with zero oversight (i.e. syphon funds for corrupt purposes). They’re completely unaccountable and run contrary to EU values.
So I dont think we should take in ANOTHER unstable, racist, homophobic, corrupt country just because they’re at war.
Hell, I don’t think the EU should expand at all, until it’s reformed and has more accountability of its members.
The EU made it clear (years ago, before this invasion) that if Ukraine wanted to join the EU, they’d have to work on these issues. But aside from very minor corruption fixing, Ukraine never bothered to work on these issues, because the progressive cultural values and policies of the EU are simply not popular in Ukraine, so few politicians support them.
The fact is, Ukraine wants the economic and military benefits of the EU, without adopting the values and progressive cultural policies of the EU.
Why would he after our gobshite MEP’s…
I think our American boy zelensky should stfu and hope EU and NATO doesn’t leave them completely dry
Seems like he was critical of Hungary and was OK with Ireland
Something about ‘sitting’ and ‘fences’.
But at least ‘almost’ is better than his appraisal of Hungary, which really needs a history refresher before it sleepwalks into oblivion with Russia. Again.
Pity about him. Ukraine shouldn’t be fast tracked membership just because of the invasion.
Isn’t Ireland on the security council… Is that he means? That they have a vote on the security council and hasn’t used it yet?
Well is he wrong? Besides flying Ukrainian flags in our villages and posting on Facebook, it’s not like Ireland has made much of a tangible impact
35 comments
>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Ireland as he delivered an emotional pitch for his country to be allowed to join the EU last night.In a roll call of how much he felt each country supported Ukraine’s emergency application to join the EU, he said: “Ireland – well, almost”.
>
>His remotely delivered speech was the third of the day to Western leaders as they gathered in Brussels for an unprecedented day of summits of Nato, G7 and European Council leaders gathered to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
>
>After appealing to Nato leaders for “unlimited” military support, in his speech to European leaders Zelensky got highly personal, making a roll call of countries and their level of support for Ukraine.Zelensky thanked EU leaders for working together to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, including Germany’s decision to block Russia from delivering natural gas to Europe through the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline.But he criticised them for not taking the steps earlier, saying there was a chance Russia would have had second thoughts about invading.
He then appealed to the EU leaders, gathered on Thursday in Brussels, to move quickly on Ukraine’s application to join the bloc. “Here I ask you, do not delay. Please,”
>
>Zelensky said by video from Kyiv. “For us this is a chance. “He then listed the 27 member countries, noting those he said were “for us.” He appealed to Germany and particularly to Hungary not to block Ukraine’s bid.“Lithuania – for us. Latvia is for us. Estonia is for us. Poland is for us,” he said.“France, Emmanuel [Macron], I really believe that you will be for us. Slovenia is for us. Slovakia – for us. The Czech Republic is for us. Romania knows what dignity is, so it will stand for us at the crucial moment. Bulgaria stands for us. Greece, I believe, stands with us. Germany … a little later. Portugal — well, almost … Croatia stands for us. Sweden – yellow and blue should always stand together. Finland – I know you are with us. The Netherlands stands for the rational, so we’ll find common ground. Malta – I believe we will succeed. Denmark – I believe we will succeed.”He continued: “Luxembourg – we understand each other. Cyprus – I really believe you are with us. Italy – thank you for your support! Spain – we’ll find common ground. Belgium – we will find arguments. Austria, together with Ukrainians, it is an opportunity for you. I’m sure of it. Ireland – well, almost.”
>
>Zelensky is due to address the Oireachtas on April 6. Last week, Zelensky thanked Taioseach Micheál Martin “for helping the people of Ukraine” in a phone call with the Taoiseach.
>
>In a tweet, Mr Zelensky said he and Mr Martin “discussed countering aggression and horrific crimes of Russia against civilians”.He also “expressed condolences over the murder of Irish journalist Pierre Zakrzewski by Russian soldiers”.The Taoiseach said he told Zelensky that the “Irish people stand fully behind Ukraine” and that Zelensky “thanked us for our continued humanitarian aid, shelter, global support and sanctions against Russia”.
>
>The Taoiseach has previously said Ireland would support an accelerated application by Ukraine to join the EU but that the country may not be able to join immediately.
>
>Zelensky laid down a marker for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has for years nurtured close ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. “Hungary … I want to stay here and be honest. Once and for all,” Zelensky said.“You have to decide for yourself who you are with. You are a sovereign state. I’ve been to Budapest. I adore your city. I have been many times – very beautiful, very hospitable city. And people, too. You have had tragic moments in your life. I visited your waterfront. I saw this memorial … Shoes on the Danube Bank,” he said, referring a monument to Hungarian Jews murdered during World War II.“Listen, Viktor, do you know what’s going on in Mariupol? Please, if you can, go to your waterfront.”The gathered leaders issued a statement reiterating their previous position on Ukraine’s application and demanded an immediate end to Russia’s aggression.“
>
>The European Council reiterates its invitation to the Commission to submit its opinion in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties,” the leaders stated. “The European Union will continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support.” Questioned about what more Ireland can do for Ukraine, a Ukrainian MP has said he is aware that Ireland does not have enough military weapons to send to Ukraine but that it could push for more in negotiations with the United Nations.Volodymyr Ariev said he is “very grateful” for the military aid Ukraine has received thus far. He is currently in Kyiv. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, Mr Ariev said he is not disappointed by the response from Europe as it is not a “fast process”.
>
> Ireland is currently making €22 million available for humanitarian and medical aid and has already taken in arond 10,000 refugees.“
>
>I cannot say that we’re disappointed, the waking up of Europe is not a fast process but we understand that Europe needs the time to understand that it’s inevitable but to help Ukraine with all kinds of aids,” he said.“ Military aids, sanctions like imposing energy trade embargo with Russia and embargo the supply companies for arms. And to support Ukraine joining EU as well as it’s important to break down Russian plan to restore Soviet Union.“ I do think that the public opinion will push more and more and I’m really grateful to all people living in Europe because they’re reflecting to the advance in Ukraine and pushing up governments to act more affective.”
>
>Mr Ariev said weapons are vital to “beat Putin” and that the entire European economy will suffer as a result. “To reduce the level of, the weight of refugees, it means only one thing that we need to have weapons to stop this war, to beat Putin. This economy will suffer, European economies will suffer anyway but Ukrainian refugees will come back, I’m pretty sure most of them will come back to Ukraine to restore our country,” he said.
>
>“They’re looking for safe time during the war. I do think that it could be a joint decision, I can understand it, Ireland might not have enough weapon to give to it to Ukraine. But the negotiations inside the UN could push up the States who could do that.”“We need more decisive to support Ukraine in our struggle for existing. As long as NATO shying away to arrange serious aid, Russia will keep on bombing us, Ukrainian citizens will suffer.
>
>We need alliance to be more decisive and to not be afraid to support victory over insane Putin plans to change the map of Europe.”
It took the UK, 5 years to leave the EU. And that’s still a mess. It’s a long and drawn out process that requires preconditions that Ukraine did not meet before the invasion. Plus there are other countries that are going through this process for years and are closer to meeting these conditions.
Yoi cant just join in a few months. This doesn’t mean the EU cant support the Ukraine and help rebuild it.
Wtf I love Putin now? 🇷🇺😍🥰
Yeah well we need the have guns before we can send guns
[deleted]
Dickhead comment especially considering we’re apparently accepting 250,000 refugees.
There’s an elephant in the room when it comes to Zelensky, and it is how he has been using the current crisis as a platform to try to guilt and strong arm other countries into giving him what he wants. What’s going on in Ukraine is abhorrent, Putin is a war criminal; but Zelensky has shown political naivety repeatedly in his requests for military intervention. He must realise that many of the things he asks/demands of the strong military nations will 100% incur a third World War, yet he continues to insist on it. He forgets Ukraine is not in Europe, not in NATO. Ukraine is a sovereign state undergoing a brutal attack. He must know that such actions will result in the deaths of more people, in other nations. Perhaps even the death of us all. Yet still countless nations, including our own, have given a level of support that has not been seen in generations, and yet he demands more and shames us for not doing enough?
*edited for jumbled words.
[removed]
Mmmm…we’ve sent tons of Aid, we’re taking in tons of refugee’s. We are a neutral country. I don’t know what he meant by that to be honest.
So what about all these refugees? Should we send them back?, your mans a bit cheeky isn’t he
IRL haven’t weapons not in NATO or G7
I think his rethoric right now is a shoot for the moon and hope you at least hit the stars type of scenario. He knows both EU membership and NATO membership aren’t feasible right now, but he’s using those nos as leverage to get more aid and weapons.
If you look at Germany, that worked. Initially, they were sending 5000 helmets. They’ve worked their way up to sending much, much more than that now.
Sanctions too have become more and more substantial and a lot more countries are on board with them than initially.
He is a pushy fucker and I can see how that might not go down well for some, but if that gets him a few more missiles so his country exists after this, I can’t begrudge it.
Do we even have weapons to send? Or other military equipment? Not long ago they were saying we can barely kit out our own guys.
Edit: am I not allowed ask this?
What do you mean ‘well, almost’? Haven’t we taken in loads of Indian, Pakistani and African refugees because of this war for you?
My question is and is because I actually don’t know
But besides aid do we even have weapons we could send over? I can’t imagine we have more then 20 anti tank rockets here in Ireland so like I’m not even sure what type of weapons he could send.
And also we are taking on 200k of his people into Ireland for the size of us they is a big task to undertake……and I’m happy we are doing that don’t get me wrong but it’s kind of shit hearing him saying we aren’t doing enough
The last time a country acceded to the EU was 2013. Turkey have been approved but almost 20 years later still haven’t acceded. Big requirements nowadays are unanimous member state approval, adoption of the Euro and Schengen.
It’s a nice thought that Ukraine would like to join the EU, and I’m sure they can succeed in that goal. But it’s not going to happen overnight. It doesn’t take a few weeks, months or years. It can take decades. I wish them well.
Zelensky is not being realistic about EU membership. Even without this war it would be a decade long endeavour. Has a domestic referendum even passed in Ukraine?
Fair enough. I am not sure I stand for Ukraine joining the EU right now. At the end of the day it wasn’t the most politically stable country before all this happened. They only recently got rid of a president that was basically a Russian puppet. Also the EU has always had a certain ethos when its come to social progress and human rights and I think they need to set higher standards on where countries are at in terms of social progress before allowing them to join. By all means lets help them get where they need to be to join. But lets not side step the already low (imo) standards to expedite the process.
Probably because of two of our MEPs spreading Putinist propaganda; internationally embarrassing.
That would put us in line with most European states, the majority of whom think two world wars were more then enough
He’s really not in a position to “throw shade,” but this US-backed leader should be grateful Ireland has been very generous for its neutrality in this.
Didn’t Wallace and Daly vote against them joining? Might have something to do with that
Does this US puppet ever shut the fuck up?
“Under attack from Russia” alone should not be a reason to be let into the EU, I would have thought. I respect Zelensky for many things, but this is desperate.
Hi Ireland. Whatever Zelenskyy says, we as people are grateful for your support (and taking our refugees in). I believe he took a very firm stance since if he keeps sugar coating, his words won’t have much impact. Yes, it might shoot us back in the foot. But this is how I interpret it.
I guess the money Ireland sent over in support , and the truck of supply aid that were sent over as well as thousands of refugees we’ve taken in to support them is not standing for Ukraine. We basically sacrificed our neutrality for him to say “well the kinda stand for us but not really”
I say we take back his gold card for coppers, that’ll learn em
The EU already has huge issues with Poland and Hungary not living up to the code. Hungary is basically an authoritarian regime in the heart of Europe.
At the moment, Poland and Hungary can block any measure that they don’t like, and protect each other from negative consequences. They have LGBT exclusion zones. They rig elections. They tried to tank the Covid stimulus bill (unless they got special concessions that let them use the funds with zero oversight (i.e. syphon funds for corrupt purposes). They’re completely unaccountable and run contrary to EU values.
So I dont think we should take in ANOTHER unstable, racist, homophobic, corrupt country just because they’re at war.
Hell, I don’t think the EU should expand at all, until it’s reformed and has more accountability of its members.
The EU made it clear (years ago, before this invasion) that if Ukraine wanted to join the EU, they’d have to work on these issues. But aside from very minor corruption fixing, Ukraine never bothered to work on these issues, because the progressive cultural values and policies of the EU are simply not popular in Ukraine, so few politicians support them.
The fact is, Ukraine wants the economic and military benefits of the EU, without adopting the values and progressive cultural policies of the EU.
Why would he after our gobshite MEP’s…
I think our American boy zelensky should stfu and hope EU and NATO doesn’t leave them completely dry
https://twitter.com/Care2much18/status/1507311301034401808?t=bmHdOXW3uQdcLqrTRVvHww&s=19
Seems like he was critical of Hungary and was OK with Ireland
Something about ‘sitting’ and ‘fences’.
But at least ‘almost’ is better than his appraisal of Hungary, which really needs a history refresher before it sleepwalks into oblivion with Russia. Again.
Pity about him. Ukraine shouldn’t be fast tracked membership just because of the invasion.
Isn’t Ireland on the security council… Is that he means? That they have a vote on the security council and hasn’t used it yet?
Well is he wrong? Besides flying Ukrainian flags in our villages and posting on Facebook, it’s not like Ireland has made much of a tangible impact
He’s right – our MEPs blatantly support Russia.