Australia returns its embassy to Kyiv – it has become safer
The Canberra Times reports that Australia will reopen its embassy in Ukraine, as Canberra's total support for Kyiv has exceeded $1,5 billion. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Ambassador to Ukraine Paul Lehmann and the Deputy Chief of Mission will return to Kyiv in January, and that the war will impact security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Wong visited the Australian embassy in Kyiv, which was closed by the former Morrison government in 2022 following the outbreak of war with Russia.
"The Australian government has always said that we will reopen our embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so. And that moment has come," she said.
A cross-party parliamentary inquiry in November found there was a "compelling case" for re-establishing a physical diplomatic presence, pointing to 70 other countries that had reopened their embassies in Kyiv.
Wong met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, her counterpart Andriy Sybiha and Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Kateryna Argyrou welcomed Wong's visit in a statement.
"To set foot on Ukrainian soil, to spend time in the capital, to communicate with Ukrainians personally is the only way to understand what is happening on the ground in Ukraine. To be in Ukraine means to feel the impact of war."
Australia will provide $66 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to help with the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Another $10 million will go to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to provide heat and electricity to the civilian population.
This brings Australia's aid to Ukraine since the war began in February nearly three years ago to more than $1,5 billion.
Wong said what was happening with Ukraine was important to Australia.
"Ukraine's struggle with Russia has implications for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific region," she said. "Today and every day, Australia stands with Ukraine."
In turn, Argyrou said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decisions have far-reaching consequences for Australia and its neighbours.
"Strengthening ties between North Korea, China and Russia through the supply of North Korean missiles and ammunition, Chinese dual-use goods and even North Korean troops to Russia does not bode well for security in our region," says a Ukrainian activist from Australia.
Australia is moving its embassy back to Kyiv, making it safer.