Relationship dossier
Ireland
Russia
Relationship assessment
Relations are substantially adversarial, driven by the war in Ukraine, sanctions and reciprocal diplomatic measures.
Ireland toward Russia
-55Ireland has implemented EU sanctions against Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and in March 2022 ordered four Russian diplomats to leave Ireland. These measures reflect Ireland’s opposition to Russian conduct in Ukraine.
Russia toward Ireland
-55Russia has designated Ireland an unfriendly state and taken reciprocal measures affecting Irish diplomatic personnel amid the dispute over Ukraine and Ireland’s sanctions policy.
Overall relationship
-55The relationship is shaped primarily by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the resulting confrontation between Ireland’s sanctions policy and Russia’s retaliatory diplomatic measures. These disputes outweigh the limited known basis for cooperation.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Ireland’s relations with Russia have become substantially adversarial following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ireland has implemented EU sanctions against Russia and expelled Russian diplomatic staff. Russia has included Ireland among states it regards as unfriendly and has taken reciprocal action against Irish diplomatic personnel. The conflict over Ukraine and resulting diplomatic measures dominate the relationship.
Areas of tension
- Russia’s war in Ukraine and Ireland’s support for EU measures responding to it.
- Ireland’s implementation of sanctions against Russia.
- Reciprocal expulsions and restrictions involving diplomatic personnel.
Key developments
Ireland ordered four Russian diplomats to leave the country, citing activities not in accordance with their diplomatic status.
Russia included Ireland among countries designated as unfriendly states.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and practical effects of Russia’s restrictions on Irish diplomatic activity are unclear.
- The extent of any remaining bilateral cooperation outside the Ukraine-related disputes is unclear.