Journalist, political scientist, and Director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative, Donetsk-born Peter Zalmayev joins AFUO for an exclusive interview while in Australia on his world tour.
Zalmayev’s world tour to the ‘global south’ (around 30 African and Oceanic countries) has a “two-pronged purpose: to gain a ground-level insight on the sympathies and actions of people on the other side of the world to Ukraine and to document and educate on russian propaganda narratives,” he explains.
Moving to the United States in his youth, Zalmayev is based out of New York and Kyiv. He has built an invaluable and reputable career in bridging on-the-ground Ukrainian news to non-Ukrainian audiences, providing political insight to news broadcasters like ABC, Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN and more.
Soon after embarking on our sunny Australian shores, the Australian Government announced its 49 Abrams tanks package. “In the waning enthusiasm from Western allies, this announcement was such a pleasant surprise,” he remarks. “It comes at a time where the backdrop of global Ukrainian aid for 2024 is a muddled one. We have seen a resurgence of right-wing populist parties taking an oppositional stance to aid, like in Germany. Strong rhetorical support from allies not matching action, like in France. The Scandinavian countries have been a great exception and a huge support to Ukraine, but unfortunately are not the major players. Without US support Ukraine’s position is tenuous.”
Referencing the evidence of North Korean troops serving russian forces on the ground, the BRICS summit held in late October 2024, and russia being able to weather sanctions due to countries retaining trade relationships, Zalmayev acknowledges these troubling developments are an open challenge to Western allies and global security.
“The West have put themselves in a situation where they must show resolve and action now to prevent the real possibility in the near future of being faced with the decision to put troops on the ground in Ukraine,” he said.
Mr Zalamayev acknowledged that Australia, due to our distance, geography and laid-back culture, can sometimes fail to grasp the urgency and relevance of the russian invasion of Ukraine to our livelihoods.
“Australia’s isolated borders did not prevent it from being dragged into WWI and WWII, and in an increasingly globalised and technologically advanced world, distance is no protection from attack,” he warns.
“Huge nuclear powered neighbours are engaged in the war, North Korea has been emboldened by its role and China is actively watching; indirectly supplying russian capabilities. Taiwan is a major security threat in our region and Australia will not be able to avoid being pulled into such a conflict,” said Zalmayev. Zalmayev also affirmed that many in Taiwan are keenly invested in the outcome of russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting he spotted many Ukrainian flags around Taipei during his latest visit.
Promising developments in Australia reveal an upward trend of collaborative efforts in research, advocacy and investment interests to Ukrainian aid, alongside the Australian Government’s recent Abrams tanks package announcement. “This announcement should absolutely be partially credited to the efforts of the diaspora,” he said.
Mr Zalmayev also highlighted the advocacy of Australian figures like former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Major General (rtd) Mick Ryan, among others, and the important work of industry leaders and academics; referencing the recent Drone Seminar held in Canberra by Dr Oleksandra Molloy on her research for the ADF and the Drone Summit, held in Sydney by Business NSW. He considers investors and experts are being driven not only by a strong moral desire, but a recognition that it is beneficial for Australian interests and private investment; offering a space to trial new technologies with an Australian ally – who has the most advanced drone systems capabilities – engaged in an active conflict.
Encouraging the Australian Government to deepen collaborative efforts with the Ukrainian diaspora, Zalmayev identifies the coordination capacities that institutions like the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) can provide to assist with an immediate and holistic approach to Ukraine. “The diaspora and community leadership have an integral understanding of facts on the ground, they have a deeper connection with community members and brigades on the frontline, and can be a real resource to the government in better understanding the current and emerging urgent needs, as well as Australia’s capacity to deliver,” he says. “The community was keenly aware of the plan to dispose of the Taipan helicopters and Ukraine’s request for them. They were at the front foot of advocating against their burial, and subsequently pushed the research and advocacy campaign for the Abrams tanks.”
Through the AFUO’s charity funds, Defend Ukraine Appeal, Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Future Ukraine, Australia has raised almost $20 million for humanitarian and non-lethal military aid. The Ukrainian-Australian diaspora has spoken to MPs, regularly hosts rallies, organises concerts and more.
In commenting on the activities of the Ukrainian-Austraian community, Zalmayev comments “I have to say, Australia has one of, if not the most, active diaspora I have encountered. It is amazing to see, and appreciated all the way in Ukraine. People see it and feel the financial and moral support. But of course, there is always more that we can do,” he says.
“I had a chance to meet with Viktor, a 29 year old double-amputee Ukrainian veteran, who lost both his legs only a few months ago, while fighting to protect Ukraine in the Donetsk region. The technology that Australia possesses, medical and more, is revolutionary. He is one of thousands that need similar surgery that, at its current capacities, Ukraine is not able to provide on its own.
While maintaining momentum in the community’s current advocacy avenues, pushing the advancement of technological development and investment is also a key initiative that Australia can promote,” Zalmayev comments. “Ukrainians know that Australia is a very important player in the pro-Ukrainian coalition.”
“The other important flank of support for Ukraine is the information war. Symbolism matters, for instance.” Mr Zalmayev explains how russia uses clever tricks, information technology and blatant lies to pervert facts of the war, including massacres, to obfuscate its colonial interests.
News and media play an integral role in informing the public, and increasingly social media is influencing how people perceive the war. Platforms, once designed for connecting with friends and family, have become the battle grounds for people’s hearts and minds, infected with an onslaught of insidious russian propaganda, aimed to confuse the Western world of what is really happening.
“People start suffering from amnesia and are fooled by disinformation campaigns, confusion and cynicism,” Zalmayev explains. “By portraying it [Ukraine] as simply a puppet in the hands of the West, to an audience in the general ‘global south’, russia is attempting to cast a shadow on the idea of helping a country like Ukraine.”
While documenting the general feelings and level of support for Ukraine, Mr Zalmayev aims to inform audiences about common russian propaganda tropes, and the importance of educating our friends, families, and communities on the truth of their inception.
“Ukraine’s anti-colonial struggle spans hundreds of years. The reality is that Ukraine did not provoke or deserve russia’s illegal aggression, invasion and genocidal attack. ‘Joining NATO’, ‘Nazis’ and ‘saving Ukraine from their corrupt leaders’ are all dishonest and poor excuses for the mass atrocities they have committed. russia is driven by the same interest it has had for hundreds of years; a colonial conquest of neighbouring states and independent peoples, to subjugate them to its imperial rule,” Zalamyev said.
“The truth is on our side and, as hard as it is, we have to keep fighting for it.”
By Isabelle Liddy
