Written by Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia.
The second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukrainians is a wake-up call to Australia about the risks of acceding to Putin’s autocratic Russia, according to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.
“When Russia illegally invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it also attacked the international rules-based order, values and global economic ties that Australia and other democracies rely on. After two years of immense human suffering, including nearly 20,000 Ukrainian civilian casualties, and international instability, the Putin risk is crystal clear. It’s time to defeat Putin, his occupational forces, and end the war, and Ukraine can do so with Australia’s and other like-minded countries’ additional support in 2024,” said Ambassador Myroshnychenko.
“From day one of Russia’s full-scale invasion, this war was about two things: the readiness of Ukraine to fight and the readiness of Ukraine’s partners to support this fight. In the two years that have passed, the Ukrainian military has shown its ability to hold territory, inflict enormous damage on the aggressor and even neutralise the Black Sea Fleet.
“Ukraine’s resilience remains unchanged. The West including Australia must be ready to give Ukraine what it takes to win.
“Every day that the war goes on is another day that Putin plunders by proxy the Western and Australian way of life and economy, including increased cost of living. Putin wants to wreck the West, and the international community and Australia has to now stand up and stop him,” the Ambassador said.
“There does not need to be a third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukrainians. What Ukraine now needs to stop Putin on behalf of the West and Australia is military support with conclusive capacity. While we are grateful for all aid to date, in 2024, Ukraine requests the technology and tools that enable the end-game – the complete defeat of Putin’s forces in occupied Ukraine.
“It is time for Australia to pivot to military support that gives Ukraine the capability to conclude the conflict and stop the suffering.
“This year, we want to work with our Australian partners on a pro-active plan that identifies and provides ‘smart support’ to Ukraine that is: lower-cost, surplus to Defence requirements, life-saving, decisive in impact, and aligned with Australia’s areas of expertise in defence technology.
“The character of this war has moved from a war of artillery to a war of First Person View (FPV) drones and Flying Aviation Bombs (FABs). While domestic production of drones and related tech is booming in Ukraine, we need to significantly increase Ukraine’s aircraft power to use them more effectively,” the Ambassador said.
According to Kiel Institute data, while Australia was once the leading non-NATO donor to Ukraine, it is now the 5th largest non-NATO donor to Ukraine.
“However, with the world’s 9 th largest defence budget at over $30 billion and the 12th largest economy, as well as its Budget benefitting from additional commodity revenue during the war, Australia can make a decisive difference toward ending the war,” the Ambassador said.
“If the war draws on through lack of allies’ lack of leadership, it will have a further impact on Australians’ cost of living including through fuel, fertiliser and food prices, as well as on stability and security in the Asia Pacific region.”
“The impacts of the war can be ended by the world resolving and acting to end the war. Australia, as a leading global citizen, should be part of that in 2024, and I am optimistic about further progressing a mutual plan with the Albanese Labor Government.
“Supporting Ukraine is not charity. It’s an investment in our partners’ national security. Australia and the West need to believe in themselves and define the clear goal of victory over an enemy that threatens us all,” the Ambassador said.
