‘Axis of evil’ looms over Ukraine, Israel conflicts

Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia warns an ‘axis of evil’ is emerging on the world stage as the Albanese government considers a request to provide coal to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko.

The Albanese government is considering a request to provide coal to Ukraine, which is facing another cold winter under the shadow of Vladimir Putin’s military assault, as the war-torn nation’s top diplomat in Australia warns that an “axis of evil” is emerging on the world stage.

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko wrote to the government to plead for a second instalment of energy support for the embattled eastern European nation on December 5, with Russia increasingly targeting the country’s critical infrastructure in a bid to destroy the power grid.

As the war rages two years after Russia launched its ground invasion, Mr Myroshnychenko said it was important not to lose focus on Ukraine’s battle to repel Russian forces as the global attention shifts to the war in Israel, warning that Russia, Iran and North Korea were forming an “axis of evil” with Hamas sympathies.

A Department of Defence and Trade spokeswoman said it was in “close contact with the Ukrainian embassy and our partners to ensure we are making the most effective contributions”.

The Australian understands the department made contact with the embassy but is yet to confirm any support a month after the request was initiated.

Last month Anthony Albanese rejected a US navy request to send warships to the Red Sea to secure vital shipping routes from Iran-linked militants, declaring that Australia was just an observer and his priority was the Asia-Pacific.

Mr Myroshnychenko said the coal was vital to Ukrainians surviving the winter, calling on democracies to continue to support the nation’s fight against an authoritarian regime.

“We see here a new axis of evil,” Mr Mr Myroshnychenko told The Australian. “You see that Russia is co-­operating with Iran, North Korea, on the supply of weapons, and the only country which has hosted a delegation from Hamas since October 7 was Moscow.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin pictured at the Kremlin last month. Picture: AFP.

Ukrainians spent the New Year in mourning after Moscow unleashed its most devastating air attack since the invasion began with a barrage of co-ordinated missile and drone strikes killing 31 Ukrainians and injuring 150 on December 29.

Mr Myroshnychenko said it was more important than ever for democracies to support the struggle in Ukraine, arguing that Mr Putin’s regime was emboldened to carry out atrocities against Ukrainians with the world’s attention diverted to Israel and Gaza.

“We’re seeing co-operation among Russia, Iran and Hamas and also North Korea, which has been supplying shells to Russia,” he said. “We see here this axis of evil and it’s why Ukraine, NATO countries and countries like New Zealand are supporting the international coalition, and global solidarity is really essential.”

The Morrison government donated 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to Ukraine in March 2022, just a month after Mr Putin’s ground invasion began.

Foreign policy expert Peter Jennings said it appeared the government had “lost interest” in Ukraine as the war progressed, observing it was constrained by a “small-target strategy”.

“I think the government has adopted a low-profile approach in defence and foreign policy and it doesn’t want to be bothered particularly with things that cost money,” he said.

“They’re clearly not interested in doing things to help Ukraine beyond the absolute token.”

Military strategist and retired army major general Mick Ryan said Australia’s aid to Ukraine had been “pretty parsimonious” and called on the government to do more. “At the end of the day the outcome of the war in Ukraine is going to determine whether authoritarian regimes in the 21st century normalise taking over democracy,” he said.