Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has issued an update on the situation in Ukraine amid uncertainty from Russia.
It comes as NATO say Russia is trying to stage a "pretext" for the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking today in Belfast, Minister Simon Coveney called for the “significant withdrawal” of Russian troops.
“While we note Russia’s announcements of the end of some military exercises on the Ukrainian border, we will be clear at the Security Council today that we need to see sustained and credible moves on the ground towards genuine de-escalation," he said.
Coveney said that Taoiseach Micheal Martin will underline that “diplomacy and dialogue through existing mechanisms is the only way forward” in a meeting with other European leaders in Brussels.
“It is time for a serious commitment to de-escalation, diplomacy, and compromise,” he said.
“Ukraine has the same fundamental right as every other sovereign and independent State to choose its own foreign policy and ensure the security and defence of its territory.
“That right is self-evident. It is a right that our own history tells us is non-negotiable.”
The Minister also said that he would “emphasise that the situation remains very volatile and DFA continues to advise against all travel to Ukraine and urges citizens in Ukraine to leave by commercial means”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is still in “direct and ongoing” contact with Irish citizens who are in Ukraine who have registered with the Embassy in Kyiv, of which there are 98.
They are also in contact with those who have surrogacy arrangements in Ukraine and asked anyone who requires emergency consular assistance to contact them on 01 408 2000.
This comes as NATO has warned that Russia is trying to stage a false “pretext” for the invasion of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Moscow is attempting “false flag operations” after reports emerged of shelling in the eastern Ukrainian region of the Donbass.
He told a press conference at NATO HQ in Brussels: “We are concerned that Russia is trying to stage a pretext for an armed attack against Ukraine.
“It is still no clarity, no certainty about Russian intentions. We don’t know what will happen.
“But we do know is that Russia has amassed the biggest force we’ve seen in Europe for decades, in and around Ukraine.
“And we also know there are many Russian intelligence officers operating in Ukraine… and we’ve seen attempts to stage a pretext, false flag operations to provide an excuse for invading Ukraine.”
He called on Russia to "continue to talk" and called for "dialogue and de-escalation".
