PRESS RELEASE: 2023 IS YEAR TO STEP-UP IN STRENGTH FOR UKRAINE’S VICTORY
In a major address to the National Press Club on the one-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand called for a step-up in strength to win the war. In his remarks, His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko:
• Outlined the impact of 365 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, including the displacement of 14 million people (or more than half of Australia’s population), and on global security;
• Discussed Ukraine’s success in defending itself for a year and taking back some 50% of recently occupied territories;
• Strongly thanked Australia, the Commonwealth Government and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their solidarity and leadership with regard to Ukraine, including $700 million of aide to date such as 90 Bushmasters, and;
• Called for Ukraine’s allies to switch modes from helping to defend Ukraine in 2022 to be-ing part of mutual victory for democracy over authoritarianism in 2023.
The Embassy of Ukraine also releases two videos today:
Video of Ukrainian front-line soldier thanking Australia for Bushmaster vehicle
Ukraine is extremely thankful that Australia is in our blue and gold corner. Each additional Bushmaster from 🇦🇺 to 🇺🇦isn’t just a very hardy and handy battle vehicle. It is the ANZAC spirit and Australian mateship for Ukraine on wheels – wheels that roll toward mutual victory. pic.twitter.com/LO6iJKXeId
— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) February 23, 2023
Video of Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest discussing his support for Ukraine’s reconstruction
Quotes attributable to Ambassador Myroshnychenko:
Quote 1: Today, I say this: that Ukraine must win and that Ukraine will win. And, Ukraine will win due to a step-up in strength with its allies, such as Australia.
Quote 2: Ukraine is extremely thankful that Australia is in our blue and gold corner. Each additional Bushmaster from Australia to Ukraine isn’t just a very hardy and handy battle vehicle. Rather, it is the ANZAC spirit and Australian mateship for Ukraine on wheels – wheels that roll toward mutual victory.
Quote 3: Australian support has been so welcome and so vital. Now, moving into year two, mutual victory requires that our allies’ support be sustainable and systematic. That’s the difference between defending a mate and winning a better world order for everyone.
Quote 4: More strength and more support equals an expedited end to Russia’s war on Ukraine and democracy. Military aid from our allies must meet battlefield needs and strategic opportunities. It needs therefore to be substantive, systematic, and consistent. Most importantly, military aid needs to be goal-based. If the goal in 2022 was to defend Ukraine, the goal in 2023 is to win for the world’s sake.
Quote 5: The question of ‘how long’ is less important than the question ‘how do we help Ukraine and democracy achieve victory and peace as soon as possible?’. The answer is: the more Aussie mateship, the faster Ukraine’s and democracy’s victory.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: VASYL MYROSHNYCHENKO 0452 084 397
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
