Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has put his weight behind the argument that “appeasement has failed” with regards to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. In an interview with the Irish Times, Varadkar opined that only when Russian President Vladimir Putin is stopped can peace be possible for Ukraine. Varadkar’s comments come amid continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and a stalled peace process, with recent peace talks proving futile. In this article, we’ll explore Varadkar’s call to action and what it could mean for the future of the region.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that the failure to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin and his aggressive policies has resulted in situations similar to those that led to the Second World War. Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Varadkar explained that appeasement policy towards Putin has been unsuccessful and has contributed to the invasion of Ukraine. He urged leaders to take a stronger stance against Putin to prevent further aggression. Varadkar suggested that “supporting Ukraine in its fight” is crucial in stopping Putin, adding that “Putin will stop where we stop him”. He stressed the need to maintain focus on Putin’s military objectives in Ukraine and the importance of supporting Ukraine in its struggle.
During the summit, the 27 leaders signed a deal to jointly procure ammunition for Kyiv as a means of aiding the country. They also discussed increasing the European Peace Facility (EPF) fund by €3.5 billion. The fund reimburses member states for buying weapons for Ukraine. Ireland’s neutrality policy means it is not part of the ammunition deal nor does it supply lethal weaponry. However, for every additional €1 billion added to the EPF, Ireland commits to sending €11 million’s worth of non-lethal supplies such as helmets and ammunition kits to Ukraine.
Varadkar emphasized the international community’s passive response to Putin’s previous aggressions, including Russia’s continued occupation of parts of Georgia, the control of the breakaway Moldovan province of Transnistria, and the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. According to Varadkar, appeasement was the response all along, and Putin had been allowed to occupy part of Georgia and seize Crimea, adding that the price of appeasement is what’s being done to innocent people in Ukraine. He pointed out that while everyone wants to see peace, it is impossible until Russia’s military objectives in Ukraine have been defeated.
Varadkar’s statement draws attention to the current political relationship between Russia and Ukraine, with Putin showing no signs of changing his policy towards Ukraine, and Ukraine continues to suffer from Russian aggression. The emergence of a new regional order in Eastern Europe is fraught with uncertainties and insecurities because of Russia’s actions. The international community can no longer sit idly by, and it must take a firm stance against Putin’s policies that threaten global peace and stability.
In conclusion, Varadkar has warned against a policy of appeasement towards Putin and urged the international community to support Ukraine in its struggle. He believes that Putin will stop where the international community stops him, and the military objectives of Russia in Ukraine must be defeated. This message is a call to action for world leaders to stand up against aggression and destabilizing forces threatening global peace and security. The future regional order in Eastern Europe depends on the international community’s actions, and its passivity could result in disastrous consequences.
