For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails

       Please enter a valid email address

       Please enter a valid email address

       SIGN UP

       I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

       Thanks for signing up to the

       Breaking News email

       {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

       Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not think the Irish Government would offer condolences to Russia in the event of Vladimir Putin’s death.

       Mr Varadkar was responding to a question relating to Ireland’s historical foreign policy.

       He said he did not believe an Irish delegation would be present at the Russian president’s funeral.

       The hypothetical situation relates to events almost 80 years ago.

       The Irish Government adhered to a strict policy of neutrality throughout the Second World War.

       Recommended Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

       I wouldn’t imagine we’d be represented at the funeral

       Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

       However, then-taoiseach and minister for external affairs Eamon de Valera sparked outrage among the international community when he expressed condolences to Germany’s Irish minister Eduard Hempel following Adolf Hitler’s death by suicide in 1945.

       The event caused significant reputational damage to Mr de Valera and the state, and is regarded as an important moment in the history of Irish neutrality.

       The diplomatic conundrum was dragged into the 21st century this week at a post-Cabinet briefing with Mr Varadkar.

       While Ireland insists it continues to employ a policy of neutrality, senior government ministers say this relates to being militarily neutral rather than being politically neutral.

       Last week, Mr Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes when he visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

       He also announced millions of euro in additional funding for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

       Following the trip, the taoiseach was questioned about Mr de Valera’s actions following the death of Hitler.

       Asked by reporters if Ireland would offer a similar condolence to Russia in the event of Mr Putin’s death, Mr Varadkar said: “I don’t think so.”

       Briefly pausing to consider the theoretical event, he added: “It’s a good question, I hadn’t thought of it before.”

       Mr Varadkar, who was banned from travelling to Russia last year, concluded: “I wouldn’t imagine we’d be represented at the funeral.”

       In November, the Kremlin said it was placing 52 “key representatives” from Ireland on a sanctions list for expressing what it claimed was Russophobic sentiment.

       Recommended Ireland won’t offer condolences to Russia if Putin dies, Varadkar says Sinead O’Connor’s voice ‘was Ireland right down to the ground’ Sinead O’Connor used her fame ‘to break down stigma’

       Mr Varadkar was among the officials subjected to the ban by Russia.

       The Russian embassy in Dublin has been approached for comment.

       More about PA Ready Leo Varadkar Ireland Vladimir Putin Russia Government Taoiseach Eamon de Valera Kremlin Volodymyr Zelensky Rumours Ukraine Dublin

       1/ 1Ireland unlikely to offer condolences to Russia if Putin dies, Varadkar says

       Ireland unlikely to offer condolences to Russia if Putin dies, Varadkar says Taoiseach Leo Varadkar lights a candle during a visit to the memorial to the Heavenly Hundred at Maidan Square, Kyiv (PA/Clodagh Kilcoyne)

       PA Wire

       ？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

       Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

       Subscribe

       Already subscribed? Log in