Association of Ukrainians in Victoria (AUV) Chairman Eugene Hawryszko voiced our community’s outrage after former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews joining indicted war criminal and tyrant vladimir putin at China’s military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square yesterday.
Eugene’s comments were featured on the front page of the Herald Sun: afuo.org.au/news
“He is standing next to a person who is bombing Ukrainian civilians as we speak,” he said. “It’s a massive, disgraceful betrayal.”
It was also deeply disappointing that former Foreign Minister and NSW Premier Bob Carr attended the commemorations in China alongside putin.
We urge Dan Andrews to apologise for the hurt and distress he has caused to the Ukrainian community by his attendance.
We also call on all Australian political leaders – past and present – to think twice before attending these types of events and giving legitimacy to dictators and war criminals.
The message must remain clear: 
putin is a warmonger and his enablers – including Chinese President Xi, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, Iranian President Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – must be held accountable for aiding russia’s war against Ukraine.
Today, we welcomed strong support for the Australian-Ukrainian community from Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll MP during a meeting with visiting Ukrainian military and emergency services leaders – Lt Colonel Berezovskyi and Colonel Fedkalov – alongside AFUO Chair Kateryna Argyrou, and AFUO Board member Chrestyna Kmetj.
Together, we will continue to stand with Ukraine – defending freedom, justice and the rules-based international order.
#AustraliaStandsWithUkraine #UkrainiansinAustralia #AFUO_in_action
