A Clare native Professor of Politics believes this period may be seen in retrospect as the beginning of the end of the war in Ukraine.
It follows a declaration by the Russian President declared that reservists will be called up to the armed forces in a “partial mobilisation” move by security chiefs.
Voting is under way in Moscow-controlled areas of Ukraine in referendums to become part of Russia.
The ballots have been described as a ‘sham’ with ‘no legitimacy’ by NATO.
Vladimir Putin warned if the votes were successful, then any attack on these regions would be met with retaliation, possibly in the form of nuclear weapons.
The Russian President also ordered the mass conscription of 300-thousand people, which Associate Professor of Politics at DCU’s School of Law and Government, Donnacha O’Beacháin says is a recognition of weakness on Russia’s part.
The Newmarket on Fergus native believes that this could be looked back on as the beginning of the end of the war.
More than 1,300 people have reportedly been arrested following protests over the decision to call up reservists to fight in Ukraine.
Tatiana Timofeeva is a Russian Piano Teacher living in Ennis. She says there’s no law in her home country and people are afraid, so not enough people will go and protest, with many of the opposition already out of the country or in prison.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach says small countries like Ireland should fear the world Russia is trying to create.
Micheál Martin’s told the UN General Assembly he is deeply frustrated at the failures of the UN Security Council.
He says a world where the strong bully the weak is something the UN should oppose.
Micheál Martin says he believes Russia’s actions should be a source of concern for the entire world.
Listen back to the full interview below: