Uranium talk thumbs nose at Vladimir Putin

AUSTRALIA would begin uranium exports to energy-poor Ukraine under plans that are likely to anger Russia.

Tony Abbott and Petro Poroshenko shake hands during a church service in Melbourne.

AUSTRALIA would begin uran­ium exports to energy-poor Ukraine under plans discussed between Tony Abbott and his Ukrainian counterpart that are likely to anger Russia.

“We did talk about the potential of uranium and coal exports to Ukraine,’’ Mr Abbott said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poro­shenko in Melbourne yesterday.

“Australia is an energy superpower and energy security is very important to Ukraine, particularly given its current vulnerability to supply shocks.

“This would be good, should we be able to bring it about for jobs and prosperity in Australia as well as jobs and prosperity in the Ukraine.”

Ukraine is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But Bill Shorten urged the government not to rush into a deal with the former Soviet state.

“Labor’s not automatically against it or for it. We’ll just study the detail, mindful of our commitments to our international treaties,’’ the Opposition Leader said.

The Abbott government rec­ently ruled out future uranium sales to Russia over its backing for pro-Russia rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine — the scene of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster — is facing severe energy short­ages heading into winter, as it is dependent on Russia for gas supplies, and the fighting in the east of the country has disrupted the mining of coal.

Australia’s move, while aimed at alleviating these problems in the longer term, is likely to be seen as an expression of solidarity for Ukraine over Russia and a ­rebuff to Russian President ­Vladimir Putin.

Mr Poroshenko said he welcomed the discussions on Australia supplying uranium and coal to his country.

“We discussed co-operation in the sphere of nuclear energy,’’ he said. “We analysed the possibilities that Australian uranium could power our nuclear power station. We also discussed the possibility of Australian coal ­supplying our energy system.”

Mr Poroshenko also revealed his desire to build a monument to the victims of the MH17 disaster in the east of his country and has invited Mr Abbott to visit Kiev early next year.

Neither leader could say when the Dutch-led investigation into the disaster would be finished.

The Minerals Council of Australia’s uranium division executive director Daniel Zavattiero said Ukraine generated more than 40 per cent of its power from atomic energy and had more ­reactors on the drawing board: “The industry supports all government efforts to facilitate access to new markets for Australian uranium under strict bilateral agreements that ensure it is used only for peaceful purposes.”