Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) Co-chair Kateryna Argyrou has welcomed the Russian Federation’s decision to ban her, alongside 130 other Australians, from entering Russia as a sign the AFUO and Australian-Ukrainian community are heading in the right direction in their strong advocacy for their homeland against Russia’s genocidal invasion.
‘This move by Russia is a desperate attempt to intimidate and silence those who are making headway in frustrating Moscow’s illegal war on Ukraine,’ said Ms Argyrou.
‘In my capacity as a Ukrainian community leader, I will not stop arguing against Russia’s barbaric war, against the genocide of Ukrainians, against the indiscriminate bombing of our country and people, against the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, and against every Russian war crime and act of terrorism.
‘Our community has worked tirelessly in public and behind the scenes to ensure Ukraine stays in the minds of Australians. The efforts of many people in and around the Ukrainian community have enabled more military aid to flow and promoted better coordination of aid to Ukraine. We will continue to advocate for additional diplomatic and legal support, including tightening sanctions against Russia and its supporters, and re-purposing the billions in Russian assets held in Australia to help Ukraine’s reconstruction,’ Ms Argyrou said.
‘Next month will mark 1,000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced. It remains our goal to end this war as quickly as possible, as everyday it continues means more death, disability and destruction. Just last month, 29 year old Ukrainian war veteran double amputee, Viktor (call sign Blacksmith), came to Australia for osseointegration surgery to help him walk again. This is just one heart-breaking example of how Russia’s cruel war is impacting Ukrainians.
‘Our community is also justifiably proud that it has raised close to $20 million to help the victims of Russia’s war and support Ukraine’s defenders. Every dollar we raise is guided by a strong conviction that what Russia is doing in Ukraine and to its people — our family, our friends — is outrageous, appalling and needs to be stopped,’ Ms Argyrou concluded.
