Fine Gael's Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has said she does not agree with the comments fellow candidate Catherine Connolly made about European military spending.
Speaking in Killarney, Ms Humphreys said "Europe has to defend itself".
"We've had peace for almost 50 years in Europe," said Ms Humphreys.
"Russia attacked Ukraine. War has come back to Europe," she added.
She said the one person who can stop the Ukraine war is Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"He can stop this war," she said. "It's so difficult to see what's happening in Ukraine. You see the bombs, the drones. What is happening in Ukraine, I believe is wrong."
Ms Humphreys said: "We have to be aware that we are living in a different world and Europe has to protect itself."
She said what President Putin "has bestowed on the Ukrainian people is horrific".
"It disgusts everybody," Ms Humphreys added.
Also asked about Ms Connolly’s comments, Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin said countries on the border with Russia, including Ukraine, need to "look after their own welfare".
Speaking in Co Kerry, Mr Gavin said there is an understanding of why those countries might be "investing in their defence and their protection".
He said from an Irish perspective, "the Defence Commission has looked at the Irish Defence Forces in terms of investment".
"We can keep our seas safe and keep our peacekeeping roles up to speed," he said.
Mr Gavin has said he does not want to get involved in a "tit-tat" with another candidate but added "Europe needs to defend itself".
"From my perspective, the European Union has been very clear in terms of the conflict of Russia," he said.
"It needs to stop. European countries need to be able to defend themselves."
Mr Gavin added the European Union has been set up to promote democracy and to promote peace.
Speaking in Co Donegal today, Ms Connolly has said: "Every sovereign state has a right to self-defence."
"My concern is the use of the military-industrial complex, the massive profits that they are making," Ms Connolly said.
"I feel it's endangering our peace worldwide. I think we have a duty as a neutral country to speal out on that," she said.
Ms Connolly said Germany is one example of a country that is "boosting its economy through the military-industrial complex".
However, she said it is "not just Germany".
"England has done it. America has done it. The EU as a project more and more is going down the road of military industrialisation".
Ms Connolly said it is "prohibited to spend money on war through the EU and on the military-industrial complex".
"They've found a different way. They've twisted language so that the money can be used.
"We are talking about millions and not a fraction of that is going into peace or diplomacy," she said.
Presidential candidates meeting voters in Donegal, Kerry
The candidates in the election are canvassing in counties Donegal and Kerry.
Catherine Connolly is visiting Donegal town, Killybegs, An Clochán Liath and Ardara.
Ms Connolly is backed by a coalition of left-wing parties, including Sinn Féin.
Local Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn are canvassing with her during her visit to his constituency.
Fine Gael’s candidate Heather Humphreys and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin are canvassing in Kerry.
Both Ms Humphreys and Mr Gavin will attend the Listowel Races in the afternoon.
Speaking on Radio Kerry's Jerry O’Sullivan on the Kerry Today show, Ms Humphreys said her campaign is "going well," and said she has been meeting and talking to people and is getting the chance to outline to them her "vision" for the presidency.
She said that if elected president, she would "put a strong focus on community" and also said she would seek to unite people.
Ms Humphreys said community is close to her heart and it is "so important" that volunteers be recognised.
"I've seen them across the country, they are the people who hold our community together, you see them in the GAA, you see them in the Tidy Towns, the Men Sheds, the Women Sheds, the youth clubs, they're all out working in their development associations, they're doing so much for this country," she said.
Ms Humphreys encouraged them to "keep going" and said they should never be taken "for granted," and she wants to support them in every way that I can".
She said the Irish electorate is"very well informed".
"Because they know the Presidential campaign is different, it's about the person and it's not about policies," she said.
Jim Gavin again ruled out a voting pact with Ms Humphreys.
"I am canvassing for myself Jim Gavin, I am not a politician. I am presenting myself, as raw as it is, to the Irish people.
"I have done a close to four decades of service to this state and very proud of that, he said.
Mr Gavin said he is asking people to "give Jim your number one".
Also speaking to Radio Kerry, Mr Gavin said he believes the Irish tricolour should not used for "extremes" and the flag represents inclusion.
"What is interesting and unique about our national flag is that the piece in the middle speaks about equality, speaks about respect, the white of our tricolour.
"So I am very sensitive of it, I don't think it should be used for extremes," Mr Gavin said.
He said he believes there is a need for the presidency and said it has a "powerful" role.
"When Éamon De Valera when he and others wrote the Constitution, which was adopted by the Irish people in '37, had that the President is a non-partisan, non-political force for the country.
"So my presidency will be about being active amongst the community, visiting schools, visiting volunteering orgainsations highlighting the great work they do," Mr Gavin said.
