Extract from ABC News
Defence personnel who've been training Ukrainian military recruits will be welcomed home as the Albanese government announces a $186 million expansion and extension of the "Operation Kudu" assistance mission.
Key points:
- Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has welcomed the $186m funding boost
- Australia will deploy additional personnel to the UK-led training mission
- Numerous other nations including Indonesia, most EU states and Canada have returned their diplomats to Kyiv
With the war against Russia approaching two years, Labor is also under growing pressure to reopen Australia's embassy in Kyiv, one of the few diplomatic posts that remains shut in the capital.
On Thursday, Defence Minister Richard Marles will be in Darwin as the latest contingent of around 70 ADF personnel return from southern England where they've been instructing Ukrainian volunteers in basic combat.
"Our ADF personnel are providing critical skills to Ukrainian recruits as part of Operation Kudu to support Ukraine to defend against Russia's ongoing invasion," Mr Marles said.
"We are proud to expand Australia's support for Operation Kudu, a mission that cements international solidarity for Ukraine."
Under a new $186 million commitment, Australia will deploy additional personnel to the UK-led training mission, meaning there will be around 90 per rotation next year, or 360 across 2024.
"Our growing commitment to the multinational training mission affirms our pledge to provide meaningful and relevant support to the government and people of Ukraine," Mr Marles said.
Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has welcomed the funding boost telling the ABC it is a "meaningful contribution to propping up Ukraine's defence capabilities".
"This is a very strong human connection which is being created between the ADF and Ukraine, they go there for training sometimes for five to six weeks before they're sent out to the front lines."
Since January the ADF has helped to train more than 1200 Ukrainian volunteers under the UK-led program known as "Operation Interflex" which involves a dozen nations.
Pressure grows on Australia to return to Kyiv
While Ukraine's ambassador has welcomed the latest federal government support package, frustration is growing in his country over Australia's steadfast refusal to reopen its embassy in Kyiv over safety fears.
Numerous other nations including Indonesia, most EU states and Canada (whose embassy is next to Australia's vacant post) have returned their diplomats to the war-torn capital.
Leading Ukrainian opposition MP, and former Minister Inna Sovsun says she's very grateful for Australia's ongoing support but would like to see its embassy reopen soon.
"Multiple embassies are functioning at the moment in Kyiv, I think the earliest ones started reopening last summer," Ms Sovsun told the ABC.
"It is relatively safe and given that other diplomats are working… I do think it is possible for other embassies to reopen including the Australian one".
"That would of course give Australia a better understanding of the situation on the ground if you had personnel directly here in Kyiv."
Last weekend Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced career diplomat Paul Lehmann, who previously served in Port Moresby, Nigeria and Afghanistan, would soon become Australia's next ambassador to Ukraine but not based in the country.
The ABC understands Mr Lehmann will be expected to present his credentials in person by travelling to Kyiv in the new year, and then return to working from Australia's embassy in Poland like the current ambassador.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson has told the ABC "the situation in Ukraine is extremely complex and challenging" but the situation to keep the embassy closed was "under review".
"The safety and security of staff is paramount. In light of rigorous assessments, the embassy continues to operate from Warsaw."
Shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham said the Coalition continued to call on the Albanese Government to reinstate Australia's ambassador and the Australian embassy to Ukraine, in Kyiv.
"By not reinstating the Australian embassy to Kyiv the Albanese Government is out of step with much of the rest of world, including Australia's top diplomatic partners," he said.
Last month the ABC revealed that New Zealand's honorary consul in Kyiv had been helping injured Australian military volunteers in Ukraine, but DFAT insists this was in a private capacity.
No comments:
Post a Comment