Australia to reopen embassy in Ukraine in show of ‘unwavering solidarity’

Australia will reopen its embassy in Ukraine in a show of “unwavering solidarity” as the war-torn country’s fight against invading Russian forces nears its third anniversary.

Neighbouring Poland has been hosting Australia’s diplomatic mission to Ukraine since the former Coalition government shut the embassy at the outset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Announcing the move from Kyiv, Foreign Minister Penny Wong denounced “Russia’s brutal, illegal war” and said Australia’s ambassador would return to the Ukrainian capital in January.

“The Albanese government has always said we would reopen our embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

“I was pleased to announce we are reopening the embassy. From next month, Australia’s ambassador as well as our deputy head of mission will return to Kyiv.”

She also pledged fresh funds to the Ukrainian cause, including $66m to Europe’s reconstruction fund and $10m in energy support.

Russia has routinely ramped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during winter months when temperatures plunge well below zero.

Senator Wong also promised $80,000 to charity Save Ukraine, which supports Ukrainian families affected by the conflict.

Australia has contributed more than $1.5bn in aid to Kyiv since the start of the war.

“What happens to Ukraine matters to Australians,” Senator Wong said.

“Ukraine’s fight against Russia has consequences for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific.

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

While the news has been welcomed by most, the Coalition has criticised it as too late.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the delay cost Australia “crucial in-person briefings and intelligence”.

“The Albanese government’s failure to act much, much faster made Australia an outlier and meant that for more than two years Australia missed out on crucial in-person briefings and intelligence that could have better informed our understanding of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the optimal support that Australia should have provided to Ukraine,” Senator Birmingham said.

“The reopening of Australia’s embassy brings to an end an embarrassing episode that showed intransigence or ineptitude by the Albanese government and was an insult to the courageous Ukrainian people.”

Although, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly praised Australia’s backing.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed and wounded hundreds of thousands on both sides and displaced more than 10 million people.

Some 11,500 Ukrainians have found safe haven in Australia.

Russian forces have continued to make minor advances in Ukraine’s east at an enormous human cost.

Struggling with the losses, Moscow has started sending North Korean troops to the front lines, sparking fears the conflict could grow.

Russia has also started acutely feeling the bite of sanctions after years of relying on wartime manufacturing to keep its economy ticking over.

Official figures showed inflation hit 8.9 per cent in November despite repeated interest rate hikes.

Canberra’s bipartisan support for Kyiv has not gone unnoticed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, earning Australia a spot on Russia’s register of “unfriendly countries” – the Kremlin’s geopolitical naughty list.

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Richard Marles left the door open to sending Australian troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers.