Unionists attack Sinn Fein for opposing Ukraine arms package on the grounds that the party is against 'militarisation' and 'financing war'

They were reacting to the republican party's decision to join with a minority of MEPs in voting against 90bn euro (£78.5bn) EU aid package to Ukraine, citing concerns about "a militarisation agenda" in Europe.

UUP MLA Steve Aiken said Sinn Fein's position on Ukraine lacks credibility, while DUP MLA David Brooks said "people are entitled to examine whether today’s rhetoric aligns with past positions".

Sinn Fein's two MEPs - Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan - both recently voted against the funding package (which is mostly for Ukraine's military) in the European Parliament.

The Irish Times quoted Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty as saying: “Ireland’s neutrality is not about moral indifference, nor does it prevent us from standing firmly against aggression or supporting victims of war.

"What it does mean is that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or in the financing of war.”

And quizzed on the issue last Monday in the Assembly, Michelle O'Neill said that "we should all be increasingly concerned that, whilst all public services are struggling, the approach of the British government and that of international communities is to move towards a militarisation agenda as opposed to investing in people".

Dr Aiken told the News Letter: "It's very clear that Sinn Fein is demonstrating its support for both Putin and the dictatorships that are undermining democracy in Europe…

"They in fact voted in the same lobbies as the AFD [the German party] and other far-right organisations in Europe - who, many, are probably supported surreptitiously by Putin.

"It just demonstrates how unfit Sinn Fein are to burnish their so-called European credentials.

"They seem to enjoy criticising President Trump, seem to enjoy criticising everybody else, but fail miserably to criticise Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, or anywhere else that's trying to undermine the international system."

He added that, on the issue of "financing of war", the IRA meted out "death and destruction... much of it in a way that would be constituting war crimes".

All of this means that their position on Ukraine "doesn't have any credence at all".

DUP man Mr Brooks said Sinn Fein's stance "raises serious questions".

"At a time when Ukraine is defending itself against an unprovoked Russian invasion, their vote is to weaken international efforts to support a democratic country under attack," he said.

"While Sinn Fein seek to justify their position by invoking neutrality, the practical effect of opposing this aid is to reduce pressure on Putin and to undermine those resisting his aggression.

"It is also reasonable to question the credibility of Sinn Fein presenting themselves as opponents of funding conflict, given their historic record on violence.

"People are entitled to examine whether today’s rhetoric aligns with past positions.”

The vote in the European Parliament was 458 in favour of the aid package to 140 against, with 44 abstentions.

The European Parliament's press office describes the 90bn euro package as a "loan", two-thirds of which will go to "strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities".

It estimates that the cost to Ukraine of servicing the loan will be 1bn euro in 2027, rising to 3bn annually thereafter.

Its statement adds: "Ukraine will be liable for the repayment of the principal of the loan once it receives war reparations from Russia."

Writing about the issue in the Irish Times, long-time contributor Fintan O’Toole said: “Since Sinn Fein has come round to absolute pacifism (even in the face of naked aggression) as its core belief, all those commemorations of the ‘Ra will stop.

"All those Irish-Americans who gave money to the IRA during the Troubles will now be told off for their breach of the sacred principle of non-intervention.

"Tiocfaidh ar la is to be replaced by Turn the Other Cheek.”