The Finance Minister insists it's essential Ireland maintains diplomatic ties with Russia, even during a time of conflict.
It's after calls from Fine Gael's Spokesperson on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, to expel the Russian Ambassador to Ireland.
It's over the country's decision to impose a travel ban on more than 50 Irish politicians.
Ambassador Yuri Filatov's been summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs to meet the Secretary General.
Minister Paschal Dononhoe says Ireland cannot risk having our Ambassador in Moscow expelled in retaliation:
"We have Irish people in Russia. And while we have our fellow citizens in Russia, I believe and it's essential that they have a diplomatic presence that's there to support them.
We have countries who have been so much worse affected by the war and Ireland has who have kept their ambassadors in Russia."
