Contrary to the 24/7 main stream media news, it is US and Nato expansion and the aggressive arming and training of the Ukrainian army, including ultra-right neo-Nazi elements, that are the primary cause of war in the Ukraine. Russia can be blamed for falling into the trap that was intentionally set, a conflict that actually began in 2014 for the purpose of weakening and fragmenting Russia and enhancing US global hegemony.
I understand now that Irish Minister for Defence Simon Coveney is considering contributing Irish troops to a European Union mission to train the Ukrainian military. How well I remember in the early sixties, when “advisors” from my outfit, the 101st Airborne Division, were sent to Vietnam. Soon there were thousands of young American soldiers killing and dying in that war. Is this what Simon Coveney wants to see happen with young Irish men and women? There is a negative force in Irish politics that wants to sell the most precious commodity Ireland has – its neutrality – down the drain to the highest bidder, the US/Nato war machine.
The EU is itself very unfortunately falling into this trap.
Edward Horgan, a veteran of considerable experience in the IrishDefence Forces who retired with the rank of Commandant after 22 years service that included peacekeeping missions with the United Nations, states in a previous letter, "Ireland’s ever-closer integration with Nato and the increasing militarisation of the EU are diminishing Irish traditional positive neutrality, something that is supported by the vast majority of the Irish people. If the EU becomes a war project rather than a peace project, Ireland’s membership of the EU may be called into question."
For the sake of all humanity, including the Ukrainian people, Ireland must affirm its neutrality and stand not for war as Simon Coveney wants, but for peace.
Tarak Kauff