Micheál Martin has said the Government will back a joint motion of support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia in the Dáil.
The Taoiseach has also said we can impose financial sanctions of our own to punish President Vladimir Putin and battle Russian money laundering that is taking place in Ireland.
Mr Martin told the Dáil the impending war “is a very dark moment for European history”
It comes as power-mad Putin was put on notice that he will face serious sanctions from the West, including Ireland, if the Ukraine invasion is not averted.
The sanctions will come after Russian President Putin ordered troops into separatist regions of Ukraine, prompting fears of a full-scale invasion of the independent country.
The terrible prospect of a devastating war that would prove disastrous for the Irish economy dominated questions to the Taoiseach in the Dáil again on Wednesday.
It was linked to the rising cost of living by Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, as Europe’s reliance on Russian fuel supplies means sanctions or a war would send energy costs soaring even higher.
Ms McDonald said: “There is serious concern that sanctions will impact directly on the soaring cost of living here at home.
"Yesterday, the Taoiseach said that sanctions would result in even further increases in the cost of energy at a time when people are at the pin of their collar paying huge gas, electricity and home heating oil bills.
"The Taoiseach also said there would be no further invention by the government to tackle the cost of living until the budget, and that he will drive on with the Carbon Tax hike in May.
"That isn’t good enough.
"The government must act to protect families and workers now from the increased, and increasing, cost of energy."
Labour leader, Alan Kelly, called on the Taoiseach to put forward a motion calling on Dáil Eireann to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Mr Kelly said: “Ukraine will soon declare a state of emergency and has advised its citizens to leave Russia.
“It is a deeply concerning time for Europe.
“Collectively as a House we should, if possible, unanimously condemn what the Russian Federation has done by recognising its client states in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
“I hope there will be cross-party support for a motion.
“I formally ask the Taoiseach to put forward a motion to the House that all of us can support. “We want to avoid war but it is clear who the aggressor is.”
The Taoiseach said he would have no hesitation in supporting a cross-party motion showing Ireland’s support for Ukraine.
Mr Martin said: “In the first instance, along with the Deputy and in the clearest possible terms, I want to condemn Russia's aggression towards its neighbour.
“It is unilaterally, without any justification whatsoever, threatening and undermining the integrity of an independent democratic state, and this is unacceptable.
“I agree with the Deputy; I have no difficulty in agreeing a joint motion in the House, because Russia's behaviour deserves the unequivocal condemnation of everyone in the House.
“Our country's support for Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to choose its own foreign and security policy is unwavering.”
