Russian State TV has responded to Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s request for an apology over a mock-up clip which they broadcast that showed Russia wiping out Ireland with a nuclear weapon.
Russian TV host Dmitry Kiselyov, who is a friend of Vladimir Putin, said “Ireland flew into a rage” after the clip was broadcast. He has claimed that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson should be the one who apologies.
The Taoiseach had condemned the airing of the clip and described it as “sinister” and called for Russian TV or "whoever instigated this" to apologise.
Reacting to Mr Martin’s apology request, Mr Kiselyov said: “In Ireland, a strong reaction was provoked by remarks made in our programme two weeks ago, in response to British PM Boris Johnson’s threat to strike Russia without consultations with Nato.
“Let us remind you, it was a threat made to us from London.
“Back then, Boris Johnson made a provocative and absolutely groundless hypothesis, saying that Russia could allegedly use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
“And after that, in response, and without consulting Nato, Britain would strike Russia.
“It’s clear that Boris Johnson, having simulated a Russian nuclear attack, was also threatening us specifically with a nuclear strike in revenge.
“We had to say then that the whole British archipelago is basically a sinkable island.
“And Russia has every capability for such a nuclear retaliation.”
Mr Kiselyov stated that “Ireland literally flew into a rage,” in reaction to the mock-up clip that was broadcast.
Speaking on TV on Sunday, he said: “Of course as a neutral country, it wasn’t nice for Ireland to become collateral damage in Britain’s clash with Russia.
“That said, the Irish premier held his ground firmly.”
The Russian news channel then played a clip of the Taoiseach reacting to the original mock-up clip showing Ireland being wiped out by a nuclear weapon.
Mr Kiselyov told viewers: “I completely agree that an apology should be forthcoming from the British PM Boris Johnson, for his groundless threat to strike Russia.
“But we’re not intimidating anyone.
“Talking about our capabilities has an anti-war modality.
“As they say ‘let’s not start (war).
“It will end badly, it’s better to live in peace.”
