‘An invasion the likes of which Europe hasn’t seen since the second world war’
The words of the Foreign Affairs Minister today in response to the Russian military assault launched on Ukraine overnight.
In a televised address President Vladimir Putin claimed his forces were going in to ‘protect people’ from the regime in Kiev.
Explosions have been heard from the Ukrainian capital – where warning sirens have also been ringing.
Minister Simon Coveney says the invasion appears to have been well planned and EU sanctions against Russia will be ‘increased significantly’.
Last evening’s The Way It Is heard how people locally are feeling about the rising tensions.
Among them our Sue Nunn spoke with representatives of the Romanian and Moldovan communities:
Our reporter Edwina Grace was out on local streets to get a feel for how people here are feeling about it all:
Sue also spoke with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Kilkenny County Chair Jim Mulhall on how sanctions against Russia might affect agriculture in Ireland:
Tom Britton of Marble City Travel spoke on the knock-on effect for travel:
While Minister with responsibility for European Affairs Thomas Byrne too had something to say about the situation:
Stay tuned for more on this with updates on our news bulletins at the top of each hour and on our talk shows (KCLR Live with Eimear Ní Bhraonáin 10am-12noon and Sue Nunn The Way It Is 4-6pm).