Doherty criticises “hypocritical” Sinn Féin for abstaining on Russia motion

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has dubbed Sinn Féin “deeply hypocritical and shameful” for voting against a European Parliament motion which said that Europe would “stand firmly with the Ukrainian people and condemn Russian aggression.”

Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funcion abstained on the vote, as did left-wing independent Luke “Ming” Flanagan and Clare independent Michael McNamara.

Doherty has been a vocal critic of Sinn Féin’s stance on Ukraine in recent weeks, criticising Sinn Féin for voting against a €90 billion support package for Ukraine.

Sinn Féin argued that too much of the €90 billion loan would have been designated for weapons, asserting that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were preferable to continued bloodshed.

In a letter published in the Irish Times, Boylan argued, “supporting Ukraine does not require endorsing every military-finance mechanism placed before the Parliament. One can stand firmly for sovereignty and international law while scrutinising proposals that embed long-term war-financing structures into EU institutions. That is not appeasement; it is democratic accountability exercised in the interests of lasting peace.”

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have stalled, despite a large prisoner of war swap earlier this year, with Ukraine not willing to give up as much as 25% of their territory to Russia and Russia not willing to let Ukraine join NATO as part of their ceasefire demands.

Doherty said that Sinn Féin’s choice to abstain represents a “stark failure of leadership at a defining moment for Europe.”

“It is extraordinary that Sinn Féin can publish statements standing in solidarity with Ukraine while, in the same breath, refusing to back a clear vote condemning Russia. That is hypocrisy, plain and simple,” the Fine Gael MEP said.

“Four years into this savage war, Ukrainians are still enduring daily drone attacks and missile strikes. Cities are being destroyed. Families are living under constant threat. This is not a time for fence-sitting,” she said.

Doherty remarked “when Europe steps up, Sinn Féin step back. Their position places them closer to hardline eurosceptic figures such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, who has repeatedly sought to block and dilute meaningful EU support for Ukraine.”

She stated, “solidarity is not a slogan. Weak statements will not stop bombs or drone attacks. Action will. If Sinn Féin oppose the measures required to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, how exactly do they expect Ukrainians to defend themselves?””

“Ireland’s representatives must be unequivocal in standing with Ukraine and in defending the principles of sovereignty, democracy and European security, rather than sitting on the fence when it matters most,” she said.

Doherty’s charges that Sinn Féin are voting in line with Orban do not hold up to scrutiny; Doherty and fellow Fine Gael MEPs have voted alongside MEPs from Orban’s party over the course of this European Parliament on issues such as migration rights and climate change-related issues.

In November 2025, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael limited state accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to 30 days, and cut support for the Accommodation Recognition Payment from €800 a month to €600 a month.