Michael D Higgins faced calls for state support for the Ukrainian cause and voiced his opposition to Russian aggression. It comes after Sabina Higgins wrote a letter to the Irish Times during the week about the war. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (Brian Lawless/PA) (PA file) Ms Higgins’ letter, which was intended to criticize an earlier article on the conflict, said the fighting would continue until the world “convinces President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine to agree to a cessation of hostilities”. fire and negotiations”. Critics of the letter argued that Ms Higgins was equating the actions of Ukraine and Russia. Senators from the parties in Ireland’s coalition government expressed concern. Fianna Fail senator Malcolm Byrne said the letter was then published on the Irish President’s official website – a move he described as “disgusting”. The letter appears to have since been removed from the website. “Ms Higgins is entitled to her personal opinion and to express it, although I think she is completely wrong to try to see an equivalence between the positions of Ukraine and Russia,” Mr Byrne said. “However, the decision to publish the letter on the President’s website raises serious questions. “It is the duty of the President of Ireland to now state clearly the strong support of the people of Ireland for the people of Ukraine and that we hold Russia responsible for the war and the ongoing brutality. “Ireland should be rightly proud of our response to the invasion of Ukraine.” Fine Gael senator John McGahon strongly criticized the letter. “Sabina Higgins’ letter was inappropriate, unhelpful and unpleasant,” he tweeted. “Her views are completely unrelated to those of the Irish people and interventions such as this are seen as tacit support for the Russian regime.” The President’s office has been contacted for comment.