The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the PM Anthony Albanese about a further package of aid for Ukraine, noting it reflected many of the key “asks” it has been pursuing with the Federal Government since the Russian full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, and earlier.
Following the PM Anthony Albanese’s visit to Ukraine on Sunday 3 July, Australia has promised to provide:
- an additional A$99.5 million in military assistance, including 14 armoured personnel carriers and 20 Bushmasters
- A$8.7 million to assist Ukraine’s Border Guard Service to upgrade border management cyber security
- duty free access for Ukrainian imports to Australia
- support for Ukraine at the International Court of Justice (ICC) in support of its case against Russia
- financial sanctions and travel bans on 16 additional Russian ministers and oligarchs
- a trade ban on Russian gold.
“The AFUO has consistently called upon the Australian Government to send a strong message of solidarity to the Ukrainian Government. We have asked for military aid; humanitarian assistance; cyber support; and the strengthening of financial sanctions, trade and travel bans, to cripple the ability of the Russian state and its entities to fund and support Russia’s military machine,” said Mr Romaniw, AFUO Co-Chair.
“We are very glad the government has been able to deliver,” he said.
“We are pleased Australia has agreed to support international efforts to investigate genocide and war crimes occuring on Ukrainian soil. This reflects work we are already doing in this area via “Project Sunflower”, an AFUO commissioned team being led by William Lye QC into violations of the Rome Statute, the legal basis of the ICC,” he said.
“We also warmly welcome Australia’s decision to provide more favourable trade treatment of Ukraine. We have been discussing this for many years with the Federal Government, together with our partners the Embassy of Ukraine, the Australia Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Australia-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce.
“Australia has been a good friend to Ukraine. It has understood the importance of this fight for democracy, justice and global security,’ he added.
