Ukraine needs more military aid: envoy
Dominic Giannini |
If Ukraine falls, further countries will face the wrath of Russian expansionism, Ukraine’s top diplomat in Canberra warned as he reiterated his president’s call for more aid.
Charge d’Affaires Volodymyr Shalkivskyi says Ukraine needs more aircraft, modern anti-aircraft systems and a no-fly zone over Ukraine to stave off the Russian advance as troops close in on the country’s capital, Kyiv.
“(Russia’s) ally Belarus needs access to the Baltic Sea and (needs) to go through the European Union and NATO members, so there is already clear evidence that in case Ukraine falls, then there will be next countries in line,” he told the Seven Network.
“Our president is calling for the active participation of the world community and helping Ukraine to protect our land.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United States Congress via video link and pleaded with American lawmakers for more aid as he referenced Pearl Harbour and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
President Joe Biden announced the US would send an additional $US800 million ($A1.1 billion) in military aid, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons, as well as drones, but Mr Zelensky reiterated his calls for a NATO-imposed no-fly zone.
His representative in Canberra, Mr Shalkivskyi, said Ukraine needed defensive systems and lethal support “in order for us to effectively sustain that military pressure that’s coming from Russia”.
“Russia has air superiority and the devastation that it caused on the ground in terms of civilian death and destruction of residential areas and civilian infrastructure is just striking,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further announcements on aid to Ukraine would be made in the coming days following a phone call with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday.
“The people of Ukraine have shown, and their government and their leadership and President Zelensky have shown, an enormous grit and courage, and they’re an inspiration,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“We must ensure that Russia pays the dearest price for doing this – not just to ensure justice for the Ukrainian people, but to ward off any others who want to go down that autocratic path and seek to threaten to coerce their neighbours.”
A further round of sanctions is also on the cards.
The federal government reportedly has its eye on two billionaires – Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg – with links to Russia’s Rusal, one of the world’s biggest aluminium manufacturers.
Rusal has a large financial stake in a Queensland aluminium refinery that sends millions of tonnes of the material to Russian entities.
Mr Deripaska was sanctioned by the UK government on March 10, alongside Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich, in a $27 billion hit on seven wealthy Russians.
Australia sanctioned Mr Abramovich four days later.
Mr Vekselberg was also recently sanctioned by the UK government.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she was awaiting advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on further sanctions.
“We are consulting and cooperating closely with partners on sanctions, and would note that the UK only sanctioned Viktor Vekselberg and Oleg Deripaska in recent days,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Morrison defended not sanctioning the oligarchs with Australian links earlier, saying further names are added to the sanctions list every day following the proper processes.
“Australia, which is a long way away from Ukraine, has been on the leading edge of the world when it comes to standing up for Ukraine,” he said.
“We will continue to take action on all of those to whom sanctions should apply.”
with AP
AAP
