Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) Co-chair Stefan Romaniw OAM will travel to Ukraine in mid July to meet with the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces and Defence officials about community-led provision of non-lethal military aid from Australia, and other countries such as Canada and the US, to Ukrainian defenders on the front-line.
‘Through the AFUO’s U-Help fund, and international funds such as the Ukrainian World Congress’ Unite With Ukraine fund, tens of millions of tons of vital protective and medical equipment have been sent to Ukrainian defenders,’ said Mr Romaniw.
‘In Australia, our U-Help fund has raised over $700,000 to provide off-road vehicles, surveillance equipment, helmets, bulletproof vests and other life-saving equipment such as generators, walkie talkies and night-vision goggles to family and friends serving in the Ukrainian armed forces or territorial defence units.
‘We have also recently received a request from the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, to provide non-lethal military aid in the form of trucks and utes to support front-line defenders. I will be meeting with Ukrainian defence officials to talk more about this request,’ he added.
‘Every bit of support to defeat Russia is required now and with speed. As a community, we are determined to step up and provide as much assistance as possible. We also hope the Australian Government will respond to continued requests from the Ukrainian Government for military aid,’ said Mr Romaniw.
Over the weekend, the AFUO stepped-up calls for Australia to urgently provide additional military support to Ukraine, by writing to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong urging them to act on repeated requests from the Ukrainian Government for equipment identified as being critical in the upcoming counter-offensive.
In the letter, the AFUO thanks the Government for the latest assistance package and acknowledges that ‘all level of support is required and adds to the international campaign of support’.
However, the AFUO notes ‘there has been much discussion about this tranche’ and urges the Government to consider further support at this critical time.
The AFUO asks the Prime Minister to take a further package to Vilnius to reinforce Australia’s support and show that Australia continues to be an active and valued partner in the battle to defeat Russian aggression and defend shared values.
“Whilst Australia is not a NATO member, it is highly regarded. Australia can show leadership – as it has in the past – through its ongoing actions in supporting Ukraine,’ says the letter.
