People should really try and look beyond the headlines and read between the lines of what the Ukraine support / aid is all about.
We toured the Ring of Kerry today and along with fascinating scenery and superb weather, our guide discussed the impact to the area from the pandemic, old history, recent history, etc. We passed by 2 former resort inns (think 50 rooms or less) and one campground that now houses… refugees from Ukraine. This is not Dublin, this is out in the western most reaches of Ireland.
Ireland evidently has received over 100,000 refugees (mostly women and children according to the guide) and they are making use of these unused structures to provide housing.
Seems a bit odd but who am I to judge where they choose to put them. Then we move on and he discusses the depopulation of the region by native Irish who sought better, higher paying jobs / lifestyles in Dublin, the UK and beyond. Keep in mind this mention was maybe an hour disjointed from the Ukraine mention.
At the end, he discusses impacts from the pandemic and that it is hard finding labor to support the surge in tourism in the area and the move of wealthier folks from other areas to places like Hog's Head where Tiger Woods and friends helicopter in to $5,000 rounds of golf and stay in multi-million resort homes. Says they need workers to return to work to support.
The smart person, and I count myself as exceptionally smart, should see how the 3 apparently different things are related. Locals have moved away to greener pastures (and they must be really, really green), pandemic exacerbated the labor shortage, and where better to relocate captive Ukraine women / children refugees who likely are not afforded the same salary and benefits of Irish residents to help support the rich people having fun.
But yea, it's all about most sovereign Ukraine and helping out the poor victims of Putin's bullying.
Lots of people need to wake the **** up and call a spade a spade.