Government reiterates "unwavering support" for Ukraine following Russian Embassy statement
The Government has responded to the Russian Embassy's "threatening" statement by reaffirming its "unwavering support" for Ukraine.
On Friday evening, the Russian Embassy in Dublin released a statement via the social media site Telegram, in which the death of Irishman Finbar Cafferkey was blamed on the Irish Government and media.
Mr. Cafferkey, originally from Achill Island in County Mayo, was killed battling Russian forces earlier this month in the east of Ukraine.
Finbar Cafferkey has been volunteering as a fighter in eastern Ukraine.
Responding to the Russian Embassy's statement, which warned Ireland against becoming a "direct participant of the conflict with all the ensuing consequences", the Irish Government stood firm in its support for Ukraine.
The Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the Government’s position "in respect of Russia’s brutal and illegal aggression against Ukraine is crystal clear".
"Ireland’s support for Ukraine is unwavering. Russian Disinformation will have no impact on this", a Department spokesperson said.
🇮🇪 🇷🇺 Threatening, intimidating & chilling statement by Russian embassy Dublin. These hostile remarks are unacceptable. Beyond time Ambassador Filatov & his crew were asked to leave our country. https://t.co/Ez7frUSdIv
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) April 28, 2023
However, confronting calls to expel the Russian Ambassador Yuri Filatov and his group of diplomats, the Government said that its "view is that diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open".
Those who sought the explosion of Mr. Filatov included Laois TD Charlie Flanagan, who tweeted that "These hostile remarks are unacceptable. Beyond time Ambassador Filatov and his crew were asked to leave our country".
Keeping the Irish Embassy in Moscow open was in the best interests of Irish residents in Russia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, with five African nations also relying on the Embassy for consular support.
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