President Zelenskyy has thanked Australia for its assistance in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, and asked it to continue its support at the United Nations, maintain tough sanctions against Russia and provide more aid like the Aussie-made Bushmaster vehicle.
In an address to the Lowy Institute on Thursday 6 October, President Zelenskyy raised the possibility of a “significant package” of fresh military support from Australia, indicating “the more weapons and ammunition we receive … the more Russia would feel responsibility for violating international law.”
He also said the Bushmaster armoured vehicles had performed “masterfully in real combat operations”.
Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), thanked the Australian Government and reiterated the call for Australia to provide more military aid.
“The Australian people and Government have been extremely generous in their support for Ukraine. Our humanitarian aid charity, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal has raised close to $6.5 million dollars from Australian donors. The Australian Government has provided significant military and humanitarian aid.
“But the peace and security of the world is at stake. If this brutal invasion succeeds, a precedent is set that other countries can launch wars for territorial gain; that core principles of sovereignty, self-determination and respect for human rights can be ignored. Australia has an interest in making sure this doesn’t happen, and that Western values and the international rules-based order are not dismantled.”
“The best way to secure peace is to give Ukrainians the tools they need to defeat Russia and secure victory. Australia and the international community should continue to provide more military assistance to Ukraine.
“Otherwise, the suffering and destruction will continue,” he added.
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Image Source: images.defence.gov.au
