Micheal Martin warned Vladimir Putin and his “henchmen” they will pay a high price for their “outrageous act of aggression”.
The Taoiseach said that Ireland would fully support sanctions imposed by the EU’s 27 prime ministers and presidents after what he said was “a dark day for Europe”.
And Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said even though we are “militarily neutral” as a country, we are “not neutral at all” when it comes to supporting Ukraine in the conflict.
Mr Varadkar said the actions of the Russian President “echo a much darker past” of previous wars in Europe.
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney added: “You will see the EU working with other countries to take a strong stance now.
“The emergency leaders meeting will bring much tougher sanctions, I believe. It will send a very clear signal: we cannot accept this.”
Hundreds of people turned up outside Leinster House yesterday afternoon for a protest against the Russian invasion, with dozens of Ukraine flags waved in support.
The Taoiseach and Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, along with several other TDs came out to meet those present.
Mr Martin flew out to Brussels shortly afterwards for an emergency meeting of EU leaders called to address the fallout from Putin’s invasion.
These include a freezing of assets and travel ban for more than 350 Russian members of parliament who support Mr Putin, along with various dodgy businessmen and military chiefs.
Mr Martin left after a rousing Dail session that saw universal expressions of support for the Ukrainian people under attack, and revulsion at the Russian bullying of its neighbour.
Mr Martin said: “Our thoughts must be with the innocent people of Ukraine at this, their most difficult hour. We stand with them.
“Europe is dealing with the most grave security situation it has faced in decades, with repercussions for global security and the world economy. It cannot and it will not go unanswered.
“President Putin and those who support him will be held accountable - sanctions will be aimed to hit Putin and his henchmen where it hurts the most.
“EU sanctions will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy, blocking access to markets and to technologies.”
The Taoiseach also promised humanitarian support in Ireland for any Ukrainians fleeing the warzone.
Mr Martin added: “This aggression by Russia will cause untold hardship and tragedy for the Government and people of Ukraine who have shown remarkable resilience and resolve.
“We will not be found wanting in offering them the humanitarian support they will need.”
Mr Varadkar said: “I want to say on behalf of the Government that today we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
“Ireland is militarily neutral, but in this conflict Ireland is not neutral at all. Our support for Ukraine is unwavering and unconditional.
“At this moment, in a European nation not too far from here, families are leaving their homes, children are being bundled into cars and martial law has been introduced in the face of an unwarranted and unjustified attack.
“This is an act of aggression, unprecedented in the 21st century and it gives us grim echoes of a much darker past.
“Many people of Ukrainian origin have made their home in Ireland, and they and their families are in our thoughts.”
Solidarity/People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett condemned the Russian invasion as an “outrageous, inexcusable and dangerous act of aggression, that harks back to the darkest days of great Russian chauvinism and Stalinism”.
However, he added: “NATO militarism and expansionism and the hypocrisy of the western powers, including the US and the EU must also be condemned and rejected.
“Just as Putin is using war, militarism and nationalism to bolster his despotic and authoritarian rule, NATO and the western powers are using the Ukrainian crisis, to militarise the European Union, expand NATO eastward and more closely align Europe with US militarism.”
Last night Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told the Dail that the Irish embassy in Kyiv had been closed.
The Irish ambassador to Ukraine and other diplomatic staff have been moved to what Mr Coveney called “a safe location”.
The Irish Mirror understands this is a secure compound where diplomatic staff from other EU states are also bunkered down.
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