Russia has banned Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Leo Varadkar and more than 50 other Irish officials from entering the country, in response to Ireland's support of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry published a list of banned 52 Irish politicians and said the measures were taken following Ireland's support of EU sanctions against Russia. Those included on the list are Taoiseach Michael Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and more.
In a statement, the Russian Ministry blasted the "anti-Russian course" of the Government, which has led them to placing the 52 representatives on the "stop list".
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"The list of Irish citizens who are no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation includes, in particular, Prime Minister M. Martin, his deputy L. Varadkar, Chairman of the Dail (lower house of parliament) S. O'Fearghail, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense S. Coveney, Minister of Justice H. McIntee, Minister of Finance P. Donohoe, as well as a number of senators and deputies of the lower house of parliament."
"One of the consequences of fueling Russophobic hysteria in Irish society was the attack on the Russian Embassy in Dublin in March of this year. With regard to our other measures, we will be guided by the position of Dublin," they added.
As a member of the European Union, Ireland has joined sanctions against Russia over its invasion on Ukraine in February.. In February, the Russian embassy in Dublin was doused in red paint during a protest.
The following month Moscow also demanded an apology from the Irish government after a man drove a lorry through the gates of its Dublin embassy to protest against the war.
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