Democracies should unite in opposition to Russia’s ‘immoral war’ – Taoiseach
Micheal Martin made the comments following a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Irish Premier Micheal Martin has said that democracies across the world should unite in opposition to the “immoral war” on Ukraine.
Mr Martin made the comments following a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two leaders spoke by phone for around 30 minutes, a government spokesman said.
Mr Martin remains in Washington DC where he is isolating following a positive Covid-19 test.
“We agreed like-minded democracies everywhere should unite in opposition to this immoral war on Ukraine,” Mr Martin said.
“We discussed the need to accelerate transition to renewable energy and we agreed there has to be consequences for Putin’s Russia.”
The two leaders discussed the push in Europe to reduce dependence on Russian gas, as well as climate change and a transition to renewables
Mr Trudeau also wished the Taoiseach a happy St Patrick’s Day.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said he is feeling well and continuing with his work in Washington.
It comes as the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister visited Poland, a country that is hosting a significant proportion of the many Ukrainians who have fled the war.
During his visit to the capital Warsaw, Simon Coveney met Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau to discuss the crisis at the country’s border.
Mr Coveney also held a meeting with a representative of the UN refugee agency and members of the Irish community in Poland supporting refugees.
Nearly two million people have crossed into Poland from Ukraine since the Russian invasion began three weeks ago.
Mr Coveney said: “I’m in Poland to meet my counterpart to hear what more Ireland and the EU can do to help refugees.
“Already I have seen the extraordinary lengths Poland has gone to in receiving more than two million people in three weeks from Ukraine. Incredible solidarity here.
“As this devastating conflict enters its fourth week I am glad to have this opportunity to visit Poland to discuss perspectives on the crisis with Minister Rau.”
The visit to Poland comes after US President Joe Biden used St Patrick’s Day events to praise Irish efforts to take in Ukrainian refugees.
The Republic of Ireland has taken in more than 7,000 refugees from Ukraine, with those arriving offered PPS numbers to allow them to work and claim social welfare.