Australia Reopens Embassy in Ukraine, Provides Additional $76 Million in Funding

December 18, 2024 TruthUSA

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced that the Australian embassy in Ukraine will reopen in January 2025, demonstrating Australia’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

Wong will also allocate over $76 million (US$47 million) in taxpayer funds to assist the people in Ukraine, bringing total support to over $1.5 billion.

This aid package includes $66 million to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to aid Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Additionally, the Australian government will provide $10 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to ensure heat and electricity for the Ukrainian populace.

The Opposition has been calling for Australia’s ambassador to Ukraine to return to Kyiv after its relocation to Warsaw, Poland, due to safety concerns.

During her visit to the Australian embassy site in Kyiv, Wong expressed Australia’s unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“The Albanese government has always said we would reopen our Embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so. I was pleased to announce we are reopening the Embassy,” she said.

“From next month, Australia’s Ambassador, as well as our Deputy Head of Mission, will return to Kyiv.”

While in Ukraine, Wong also met with Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak.

She mentioned offering an additional $80,000 to help families and children during a visit to Save Ukraine.

“What happens to Ukraine matters to Australians. Ukraine’s fight against Russia has consequences for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific,” Wong said.

“Today and every day, Australia stands with Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.”

In a press conference, Wong reaffirmed Australia’s support for Ukraine and its desire for the nation to end the war on its terms.

“We want Ukrainians to live in peace, to be able to rebuild their lives and their homeland. Now, Australia, as I said, we are on the other side of the world, but we have been a partner,” she said.

‘More Direct Communication’: Ukraine Foreign Minister

Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine deeply appreciates Australia’s decision.

“It always is an important factor in deepening the bilateral relationship because the Ambassador can always get the information firsthand. It always creates the possibility to have more direct communication,” he said.

“Supporting Ukraine is in the interests of Australia because it strengthens the stability not only in the European space but also in the Pacific region.”

‘Too Late’: Opposition

Meanwhile, Liberal Home Affairs spokesman James Paterson said the Albanese government’s reopening of the Kyiv embassy was “far too late.”

“After it became apparent that they were able to do so and repel Russia’s initial invasion, we should have immediately reopened the embassy as our many like-minded partners did, including Canada,” he told Sky News.

“They reopened their embassy in May 2022. President Zelensky has been privately urging the Australian government to do this for some time. He publicly urged them to do so in February 2023.”

Back in late August, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham pledged that the Coalition would reopen the embassy in Kyiv if elected.

Birmingham, who will be leaving politics at the next election, met with Ukrainian ministers and witnessed the war’s impact on the ground.

“We’ve been clear for some time that Australia’s ambassador to Ukraine should ideally be in Ukraine. Instead, we’ve got a situation where the Albanese government is still paying rent for an Australian embassy in the Canadian embassy in Kyiv, he said at the time.

“Now we’ve seen around 70 countries reopen their embassies in Kyiv to make sure that they are in the best possible position to receive intelligence briefings, analysis, and information in real-time.

“And to be there for face-to-face briefings with the Ukrainian government that Australia misses out on because we don’t have that presence here.”

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