The Foreign Affairs Minister says he understands calls for him to expel the Russian Ambassador from Ireland.
There have been demands for Yuri Filatov to be expelled after he made repeated denials that Russia was poised to invade Ukraine.
A petition was initiated by members of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party demanding that the Russian ambassador be expelled.
One of those who signed the petition was Donegal Senator Niall Blaney.
However, he agrees with Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney who says it’s important that diplomatic channels are open.
Senator Blaney says Government is being mindful of the Irish citizens who are in Russia and Ukraine:
