"Ireland supports a clear, united, and strong EU response, including sanctions."
Simon Coveney has described Russia's move to recognise non-government controlled areas in Ukraine as "contravening international laws."
The Minister for Foreign Affairs made the statement on Monday night (21 February).
https://twitter.com/simoncoveney/status/1495872251111038980?s=20&t=UBzffq-kjTY96snYLqj3DA
"Ireland's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its right to choose its own foreign and security policy path is unwavering," Coveney said.
"The decision by the Russian Federation to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities contravenes international law, is a blatant violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and marks a clear and unilateral breach of the Minsk agreements.
"Ireland supports a clear and strong EU response, including additional sanctions measures," he concluded.
Donetsk is currently under occupation by pro-Russian separatists, the Donetsk People's Republic.
Similarly, Luhansk is under control by the Luhansk People's Republic.
Putin signed the decree recognising both states during a television address on Russian television.
Fears of a war breaking out between Russia and Ukraine have continued to rise in the past number of weeks.
Irish citizens currently in Ukraine have been advised to leave the country
immediately.
People planning on travelling to the region from Ireland are also being advised not to due to "the increased threat of military activity".
Leo Varadkar described the situation between Russia and Ukraine as "
very serious" in January, and that there was a "real fear" of war on the European continent depending on the outcome of the situation.
"It is very serious. There is a real fear that we could see a land war on the continent of Europe, which we haven't seen for a very long time, probably going back to the Kosovo or Bosnia conflicts," he said.
Any Irish citizens requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the
Department of Foreign Affairs at +353 1 4082000.
