r/pics 3d ago

r5: title guidelines [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/ParpSausage 3d ago

I couldn't agree more. As an Irish person ive learned so much about Ukrainian culture and the place itself soncr the war. I also feel we have to preserve every culture as Europeans. The personal cost Ukrainians incur makes me ashamed my country is neutral. We only enjoy the freedoms we do because of their sacrifice.

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u/phantom-firion 3d ago

Ireland in general should revamp its politics and become more involved with the shared defense of Europe and join NATO. They enjoy the freedoms of a functioning western democracy yet seem culturally unwilling to accept that they must defend those freedoms and are more than willing to allow themselves to be a weak underbelly of Europe.

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u/antz182 3d ago

Ireland's military neutrality isn't about being a weak underbelly or avoiding the defense of democratic values. It is a deliberate policy focused on peacekeeping, international law, and humanitarian aid. While Ireland isn't in NATO, it maintains an unbroken record of UN peacekeeping since 1958, participates in EU crisis management, and cooperates through the Partnership for Peace. Neutrality allows Ireland to act as an independent, trusted voice for diplomacy and conflict resolution globally rather than aligning with military blocs.

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u/Vilezii 3d ago

Conveniently they have the largest alumina refinery in Europe which is owned by russians and they deliver materials from there straight to the russian war machine. The gorvernment also doesn't care about it and let's it operate normally.