Russian military ‘exercises’ on Ukraine’s border to conclude by end of week – ambassador

Russian military “exercises” on Ukraine’s eastern border will conclude by the end of the week, the country’s ambassador to Ireland has said continuing his government’s efforts to play down the threat of invasion.

Yuri Filatov also said that within a matter of weeks, the configuration of his country’s forces in the western region of Russia would “resume its normal standard posture”.

With some doubts remaining around Russian intentions following weeks of escalation in the region, Mr Filatov insisted on RTÉ’s Prime Time that there was no political, military, economic or other reason to begin a war, labeling the notion “insane”.

“Right now we are in the middle of the training exercises which involve really sizeable quantities of troops and infrastructure. This has nothing to do with Ukraine,” he said.

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“If there is a necessity to come back, [on] exercises, they will. And nobody will teach us what to do and not to do on our own territory, let’s not forget that.”

As regards where the troops were likely to be sent, he said they would go where they needed to, adding “they are going in the Russian territory. This is nobody’s business at all.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said while recent reports of “a move towards de-escalation on the ground - if confirmed - were welcome, it is urgent that Russia de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue.”

He said his department was still advising Irish nationals not to travel to Ukraine. He urged any Irish citizens in Ukraine who had not done so to register with the embassy in Kyiv.

The department is in direct and ongoing contact with 114 citizens who have registered. Mr Coveney said any citizens in the country “should leave now using available commercial options.”

Officials remain in close contact with families who have surrogacy arrangements in Ukraine and are continuing to provide support and assistance to them individually, the department said.