The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, and Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, that the Australian Government will impose further costs on Russia for its unilateral, illegal and immoral war on Ukraine.
Actions include targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on Russian-appointed officials in the occupied regions of Ukraine, including those individuals who are flouting international law to legitimise Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine through sham referenda; and an intervention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by Ukraine against Russia, supporting Ukraine’s claims that Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).
Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM, AFUO Co-Chair said,”New sanctions and support for Ukraine’s case against Russia with the ICJ are important to ensure Russia is held to account for its brutal and criminal actions in Ukraine.”
The AFUO has also called on the Government to provide more military assistance to Ukraine.
“In Ukraine, the reality is the war is ongoing – civilians and defenders are continuing to die. Only two days ago, civilians were killed and wounded in a Russian strike on a civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhia.
“Ukraine needs additional military assistance so it can continue to protect its people, liberate occupied areas and restore its territorial integrity. To date, Australian military aid has been highly valuable. The Australian Bushmaster armoured vehicle played an important role in Ukraine’s successful counter-offensive around Kharkiv.
“We urge the Government to consider more aid of this kind,” he added.
Click here for the full text of the Government statement
