Issued by Young European Federalists (JEF) Ireland.

12/2/22.

JEF Ireland notes with concern the escalating tension between the Russian Federation and the Ukraine. We call upon the Russian government to respect the territorial integrity of the Ukraine and other Eastern European states, acknowledge that all people’s have the right to nationhood and that the political, social and economic aspirations of their citizens must be respected, regarding which alliances and blocks the people of the Ukraine and Eastern Europe decide to be associated with.

We condemn the Russian Federation for its use of military and economic pressure in order to prevent states from making legitimate choices in what military, political or economic bloc they decide to join or associate with, further we also condemn the Russian Federations annexation of Crimea and its continuing lack of respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

At the same time, we recognize that those countries who are stoking tensions must cease from doing so, as a full-scale war is in no one’s interests. Talk of imminent invasions and withdrawing diplomatic personal from the Ukraine only contributes to the tension and is not a constructive way to find a peaceful resolution.

We also call upon all sides to respect the neutrality of Ireland, and not to use its economic zone for military purposes.

Furthermore, we ask the government of Ireland to respect Ireland’s stance as a neutral state, and refrain from sending direct military aid to any side in the case of a potential war, but we do urge the government to use its diplomatic and political influence within the EU and beyond to offer, diplomatic and political support to the Ukraine.

We believe that a quick, deceive and peaceful resolution to this conflict is the best way to meet the interests of all parties involved in the crisis and we call on upon the EU to uses its geopolitical influence to reach a comprise that is agreeable to both sides.

- JEF Ireland National Executive Committee.

Robert O’Donnell,

President, JEF Ireland.

Liam Haughey,

Secretary-General, JEF Ireland.