While approximately $1bn in military and humanitarian aid may not seem a lot in the broader scheme of things, it’s worth noting that Australia’s support has had a huge multiplier effect in my country. Namely, Australian aid has increased our morale and underlined the moral argument against a bloody war in which Ukrainian civilians die every day, including Orthodox Easter.
Whether they ride Bushmasters or are beyond the battlefield, I know Ukrainians take great heart from the fact that Australians – some 15,000km away – have stood with them in their time of need.
From soldier to student to small businesswoman, my countrymen constantly ask me to express their appreciation – and even awe – to Australians for your efforts on their behalf.
I gratefully acknowledge the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to Ukraine, and his meaningful interactions with the government of Ukraine and announcing a new package of military support.
When more than 10,000 aerial attacks have been launched against one’s home in 2024 alone, there is comfort and courage in knowing the world has not forgotten us.
And it’s also the case that Ukrainians very much know that Australia’s participation in the global pro-Ukraine alliance – together with our friends in North America, Europe and elsewhere – greatly contributes to the scope, resolve and effectiveness of the international community’s stance against authoritarian and imperialistic Russia.
It’s in this context that we ask Australia to again step up for Ukraine. Based on its long-term commitment to the rule of law, its consistent contributions to international forums and its positioning as a most reasonable actor in geopolitical terms, Australia brings out-sized credit and impact to the table.
It’s precisely at a new table where we now need Australia and its positive contributions – the negotiating table, where Ukraine’s future peace can be secured and the hope of a peaceful and prosperous global order can be returned to.
To be clear, Ukraine will continue to defend itself against Russian aggression along a 1200km-long front with every available resources. We fight on because Ukrainians in Russian-held territory are subject not only to occupation but also active oppression of their rights.
We have, however, always been prepared for negotiations that end the war that Russia has inflicted on us as proxies for all democracies. No other country wants peace more than Ukraine.
During a joint press conference by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swiss President Viola Amherd in January it was announced that agreement was reached on the organisation of a global peace summit on the level of the leaders of the state and governments in Switzerland in June.
This peace summit will build on discussions that have now taken place over the past months between national security advisers in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and Davos. The latter meeting had the participation of 82 delegations, and more than 150 countries have been invited to the summit.
The peace summit will be an opportunity for global leaders to show unity around key principles: the sanctity of peace, respect for existing borders, and the force of law prevailing over the law of force.
It is also hoped to agree to key elements: the withdrawal of Russian troops; the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons and ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities; free navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as part of global food security; and the exchange of prisoners and returning to Ukraine of illegally detained, deported and displaced persons, including up to 20,000 children.
The agreed peace plan will be presented to the Russian Federation, as the aggressor must negotiate on the world’s terms and not the other way around. We ask Australia to be at the peace summit.
Yes, it is a crucial milestone with regard to the war on my country. But it is more than that.
It is the historic moment when leaders will come together in a united global strategy for a just future rather than a future forged by the fist of a dictator.
The peace summit is when those who support a rules-based order stand together against a rogue-based order.
Australia has always been there in these key moments. In fact, it has been more than “there”, including its role in the founding of the UN, its instrumental contributions to the UN charter, and Herbert “Doc” Evatt’s presidency of the UN General Assembly.
Australia has long been the kind of positive and productive citizen of the world that Ukraine aspires to be. It has, to paraphrase one of its great Labor prime ministers, Ben Chifley, always “work(ed) for the betterment of mankind not only here but anywhere we may give a helping hand”.
That helping hand – and clear and consistent voice in favour of our common values – will be most welcome and most appreciated in Switzerland on June 15-16.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko is Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia.
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