The federal government should reopen Australia’s embassy in Ukraine, continue providing military assistance to Kyiv and set up a “one-stop-shop” to ensure aid is managed efficiently, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine neared Wednesday’s 1,000-day mark, a report tabled in parliament on Tuesday recommended the Foreign Affairs Department reopen Australia’s embassy in Kyiv that it include an Australian military attaché.
The call has cross-party support, including among the Defence Subcommittee, senior Labor MPs, and parliamentarians from the Coalition and crossbench.
In handing down the report, committee chair and former Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor told parliament there was a “strong case for reopening Australia’s embassy in Kyiv”.
“Given the long-term nature of the conflict, a physical diplomatic presence would not only strengthen our bilateral ties with Ukraine but also align us with 70 other nations that already reopened their embassies,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Alongside this, the sub-committee recommended the posting of an Australian military attaché in Kyiv to provide crucial support for logistics, for equipment and training efforts on the ground.”
The inquiry also recommended that the federal government create a “whole-of-government mechanism” that could exist with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to coordinate Australia’s support of Ukraine and ensure its efficiency.
Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said military aid and support from the West, including Australia, had been vital for Kyiv’s ability to repel the Kremlin’s invasion.
“It has been essential for us and vital to make sure we can defend ourselves,” Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP.
Committee chair and former Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor says there is a “strong case” for Australia to reopen its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
The ambassador also said Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops to the front lines in Ukraine showed how the war impacted the Indo-Pacific security dynamics and demonstrated how military aid for Ukraine was “an investment in deterrence”.
Australia most recently donated to Kyiv Abrams tanks that were due to be replaced by a newer model, with military aid for Ukraine surpassing $1 billion since the start of Russia’s invasion.
Mr Myroshnychenko said he was hoping for their expedited delivery before the European summer and he called on Australia to donate any further decommissioned equipment, specifically Tiger helicopters.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued her support in a post on social media marking “1000 days of pain and tragedy [and] 1000 days of courage and determination by Ukrainians as they fight for freedom”.
The Ukrainian people had endured the war “with unmistakeable courage and unmatched resilience”, opposition foreign spokesman Simon Birmingham said.
More than 2,400 children have been killed or injured since the start of the conflict, with UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell describing the toll on children as “staggering and unacceptable”.
ABC/AAP
