Topics: Re-opening Kyiv Embassy;
06:15AM AEST
29 August 2024
Sabra Lane: The Federal Coalition is promising to reopen Australia’s embassy in Ukraine immediately if it’s elected at the next election, which is expected before May next year. The Shadow Foreign Minister, Simon Birmingham, is currently in Kyiv. I spoke with him a short time ago. Simon Birmingham, thanks for joining us. There’s been extensive missile and drone attacks on Kyiv this week. Have you witnessed any of that?
Simon Birmingham: Sabra, the situation across Ukraine is absolutely dynamic and we’ve seen through this war that’s tragically gone on now for three years much ebbing and flowing. Of course, Ukraine has survived far longer than anybody gave it credit for. The last few days in Kyiv have certainly seen a situation where across Ukraine, Russia has launched enormous attempted strikes. But Ukraine’s air defences have managed to ward off most of those. So, no aside from the odd siren, there’s been no indication of any actual Russian attacks getting through.
Sabra Lane: You’re promising, if the Coalition is re-elected, you will reopen the embassy, the Australian embassy there. Is it really safe to do that given what’s been happening there this week?
Simon Birmingham: Sabra, around 70 international countries who initially withdrew ambassadors and representatives from Kyiv have put them back in and did so often within months of the war starting more than two years ago. Australia is well and truly an outlier. Ukraine has built significant air defence systems; they have strong warning systems and really Australia not only is an outlier compared with other countries, but because of that our embassy and our ambassador and our government is missing out on ensuring that they receive the most up to date briefings, the most accurate intelligence and being in the strongest possible position to be able to ensure that Australia’s actions help Ukraine to prevail against Russia’s aggression.
Sabra Lane: This argument might all be academic though. The US Presidential election will be held before Australia’s next general election and if Donald Trump wins the US may end its support of Ukraine. It is a key player and Ukraine would be in big trouble. How would you try and persuade Mr. Trump to keep supporting Ukraine?
Simon Birmingham: It is in everybody’s interests across the democratic world to see Ukraine prevail. We’re in a situation where if Ukraine fails, then tyrants and autocrats will see that as an impetus to be able to move on to their next targets. If Ukraine succeeds, it will demonstrate resolve in terms of other democracies to support a fellow democracy when attacked. And that is really why we all need to continue to work hard as partners to give Ukraine the best possible support we can. They have exceeded so many expectations compared with the beginning of this conflict and even in recent times as Ukraine has moved into the Kursk region of Russia, again, they have surprised, they have exceeded expectations. And we need Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position so that ultimately, a just peace can be ensured that gives them strong territorial security and sovereignty for the indefinite future.
Sabra Lane: Simon Birmingham, thanks for talking to am.
Simon Birmingham: Thank you, Sabra, my pleasure.
[ENDS]