DFAT officials grilled over ‘passive’ assistance offered to Ukraine

Australia has rejected claims it acted passively despite reports the Prime Minister has yet to pick up the phone to call his Ukrainian counterpart.

Australian diplomats say they are cautiously optimistic following reports Russia is withdrawing some troops from the Ukraine border.

But Foreign Minister Marise Payne has categorically rejected accusations Australia has acted passively amid the ongoing crisis.

President Vladimir Putin overnight said Russia was sending some tanks, armoured vehicles and troops back to base as negotiations over the border continues.

While the Australian government says it has received an early assessment from its man on the ground in Moscow, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said it still needed to verify reports.

“We have had a report out of our embassy in Moscow,” deputy secretary Katrina Cooper said.

President Vladimir Putin claims Russia has scaled back troops. Picture: Mikhail Klimentyev / Sputnik / AFP

“It is an encouraging sign that we are hearing those reports. Of course, they are coming out of Russia, so as the minister has said, we do need to drill down a little bit into that and make an assessment.”

Ms Cooper told a senate estimates hearing on Thursday that Russia still had 150,000 troops amassed on the border and in the Crimea region.

However, officials are still hopeful a diplomatic offramp is possible.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden cautioned that an invasion remained distinctly possible, but his nation and allies would give diplomacy and de-escalation “every chance to succeed”.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marise Payne hit back at accusations Australia acted with “passivity” after estimates was told the government had yet to offer further cybersecurity assistance to Ukraine since the onset of the crisis.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne denied Australia had acted passively. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

She said she discussed the matter with her Ukrainian counterpart on January 19 and it was a live discussion.

“We have had engagements … to discuss further cyber assistance but ultimately identifying what would be useful and valuable to the Ukrainian government,” Senator Payne said.

“This is a very challenging time for the Ukrainian government across multiple fronts.

“That’s why the United States in particular has taken a co-ordinating role, so it is in no way shape or form an issue of passivity or anything else, it is a case of working with a partner to determine what might be helpful at a critical time.”

Labor’s Kristina Keneally pressed on, asking why Scott Morrison hasn’t called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We have seen the Pentagon warn of an imminent attack by the Russian forces. I appreciate that there have been many statements from the government supporting Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity, but to date we haven’t yet supplied any new direct assistance,” Senator Keneally said.

“We haven’t even had a phone call from the Prime Minister to the President.

It’s estimated 150,000 troops remain on the border with Ukraine. Picture: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

“No one is suggesting our actions are central, but it does appear these many fine words … have not been backed up with actual action. There is a level of passivity,” Senator Keneally said.

“I completely disagree … that is absolutely not the case,” Senator Payne responded.

She added the government would join international sanctions if Russia did ultimately invade.

In total, 186 Australian citizens, permanent residents and family members are registered with DFAT as remaining in the Ukraine.

Deputy secretary Craig Maclachlan said officials were happy that a “large number” of Australians had departed the Eastern European nation.

Mr Morrison on Sunday ordered the evacuation of the Australian embassy in Kyiv, moving officials to a temporary office in Lviv.

Originally published as DFAT officials grilled over ‘passive’ assistance offered to Ukraine