Ukrainian envoy urges Anthony Albanese to visit Kyiv

Anthony Albanese is facing ­increasing pressure to travel to Ukraine, but the Prime Minister says he is still awaiting defence and security advice.

Anthony Albanese has not committed to visiting Ukraine. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Anthony Albanese is facing ­increasing pressure to travel to Ukraine, but the Prime Minister says he is still awaiting defence and security advice and has not committed to the visit.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroschnychenko, made the strongest call yet for Mr Albanese to go to Kyiv when he travelled to Madrid for a NATO Summit next week.

“My President would be ­delighted to host him if he decides to come,” Mr Myroschnychenko said in Canberra on Wednesday.

“It would send a very strong message of solidarity with Ukraine. It would also be the first historic visit of a Prime Minister of Australia to Ukraine.”

Mr Myroschnychenko, went on to list all of the other world leaders who had already travelled to Ukraine in such a show of ­solidarity.

“(It would) follow in the footsteps of President (Emmanuel) Macron,” he said.

“And (Prime Minister) Mario Draghi from Italy last week – that was unprecedented. Boris Johnson came … for the second time since the outbreak of this war.”

Mr Myroschnychenko said while such visits were significant, the top priority was the “constant supply of weapons and guns that we need to move out the Russians from the territory of Ukraine”.

“That’s the only way how we can restore sovereignty of the country,” he said. Mr Myroschnychenko said a Russian win would “embolden other nations” to challenge the rules-based order, including China.

“It is in Australia’s national interest that Ukraine wins against Russia. It remains in Australia’s national interest to assist Ukraine with practical support for its ­defence.”

Lowy Institute executive ­director Michael Fullilove added his voice to those calling on Mr Albanese to visit the war-torn country in a show of support.

“Australia has a huge stake in the Ukraine war,” he told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“The invasion of Ukraine is being the greatest disruption of the international order since the Second World War and that has implications for us because we have enjoyed the benefits of that order.

“A Russian victory would make more invasions like this more common. It would be a big win for countries that challenge the international order.

“So I think we have a big stake in it and so I would encourage Prime Minister Albanese to visit.”

When asked how he would ­respond to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invitation issued last week, Mr Albanese said he would “take advice fromthe national security agencies andfrom Defence and will ­respond to that advice as appropriate”.

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