RTE broadcaster Sarah McInerney received plaudits from Prime Time viewers once again after her "excellent work" during an interview on Tuesday's programme.
The journalist spoke to the Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov about the escalating situation in Ukraine.
Mr Filatov said the idea that Russia would invade the country was "insane" and said they "do not have any plans to invade anybody, least of all Ukraine".
"We do not have any political, economic, military or [any] other reason to do that. The whole idea is insane. If you knew something about the Russian and Ukrainian people you would never ask such a question," he added.
![](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article26242213.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Screenshot-2022-02-16-at-070102.png)
It comes as the United States has warned that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day" as fears rise over escalating tensions.
Over 100,000 Russian troops are stationed on the Ukrainian border, with officials from the US and other EU countries urging citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible.
Prime Time presenter Sarah McInerney was praised as "absolutely brilliant" after her probing questioning of the Russian Ambassador, with many viewers taking to social media to hail her "outstanding interviewing"
One person said: "Sarah was brilliant with Russian ambassador. She did not let him off with some of his answers. If at first he didn't answer he was not left off."
A second wrote: "@SarahAMcInerney working her magic again tonight #rtept."
A third said: "Excellent work by @SarahAMcInerney interviewing the Russian ambassador to Ireland on #primetime this evening."
![](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article26242212.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Screenshot-2022-02-16-at-070137.png)
A fourth added: "As ever, outstanding interviewing by @SarahAMcInerney. She is quite simply brilliant across every brief she's given @RTE_PrimeTime."
Another viewer said: "Great questions Sarah, you're a tough cookie."
Someone else said: "@SarahAMcInerney was absolutely brilliant."
One person stated: "Said it before I’ll say it again. @SarahAMcInerney is the best TV broadcast journalist in Ireland right now."
A second wrote: "Thank you for making the effort to go ask questions and listen to answers. This is what is sorely missing in western media, dialogue to try understand the others point of view, this is the only way to peace."
Another wrote: "I see @SarahAMcInerney is getting stuck in #respect."
While someone else added: "Impressively direct and challenging questioning of @Rus_Emb_Ireland by @SarahAMcInerney on @RTE_PrimeTime #rtept."