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The Ukrainian government has called on Australia to provide Hawkei light four-wheel-drive protected mobility vehicles and join the international tank coalition, as tension builds for a new offensive in the Ukraine-Russo War.
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Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov thanked Australia for its previous aid and 90 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles provided during the first months of the conflict.
He also called for the land down under to join NATO plans for the supply of 14 German Leopard 2, 20 Spanish and British Challenger 2s, and 31 US Abrams main battle tanks to the war-torn country.
Dear Australian friends,
— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) May 28, 2023
Throughout history you have repeatedly proven that Australians are a nation of freedom-loving warriors who always stand up to a bully.
You are 15 thousand kilometers away, yet we are very close in our shared values and readiness to defend them.
That’s… pic.twitter.com/SXeQ77dH1C
“Throughout history you have repeatedly proven that Australians are a nation of freedom-loving warriors who always stand up to a bully,” Mr Reznikov said.
“You are 15 thousand kilometres away, yet we are very close in our shared values and readiness to defend them.
“That’s why during the first months of the Russian aggression Australia was the largest contributor to Ukraine outside of NATO. Your Bushmasters have been incredible in real combat operations.
“But our fight for global freedom is not over yet and we still need your support. I encourage you today to join the international tank coalition for Ukraine.
“In addition to tanks, we would be honoured to receive the Australian Hawkies (Hawkei). They could prove invaluable to our troops during the counteroffensive. Stand with Ukraine. Together we can defend our shared values.
“Together, we can and we will achieve victory.”
Tension in Ukraine is escalating as both sides try to break an urban warfare stalemate around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and push for a breakout of entrenched battle lines along Donetsk and Luhansk.
Armed Forces of Ukraine have vowed “sacred revenge” counterattack and that “the time has come to take back what belongs to us”, in a slick promotional video published by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi on 27 May. The video has so far clocked more than 7 million views online.
The time has come to take back what belongs to us. pic.twitter.com/sH1Yrggg8U
— Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (@CinC_AFU) May 27, 2023
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles addressed the Ukrainian request during media doorstops on 29 May.
“Our focus in relation to Ukraine is to make sure that we are there for the journey and that this conflict is able to be resolved on Ukraine’s terms,” he said.
“We’ve been talking with the government of Ukraine about how we can provide support going forward.
“We’ve made clear that we want to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine for as long as this takes and that does imply further support.
“Certainly not committing to when we will make that announcement, but we’re in a very open and transparent process with Ukraine about how best we can lend support to them. (As) the second largest non-NATO contributor to supporting Ukraine.
“Ukraine has provided to us … a menu of options that we could pursue which would give them meaningful support. We’ll also work with other countries that are providing support to Ukraine, like the United States and the United Kingdom to make sure that our support coordinates with theirs.”
Minister Marles said he is expecting to discuss the situation with Ukrainian representatives at the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 2 June.
“I’m sure Ukraine will be a big topic of conversation at Shangri-La. We just want to make clear to our region and indeed to the world that those countries which stand in support of a global rules-based order in this moment in time really need to be standing up side by side with Ukraine,” he said.
“That’s what we’re going to do and that’s what we’re going to encourage others to do.”
The deputy prime minister also threw cold water on theories that Australia will supply retired FA-18 Hornet to Ukraine.
“It’s not a simple matter to pass on an aircraft of that kind.”
Major General (Ret’d) Mick Ryan, who served in the ADF for more than 35 years and was commander of the Australia Defence College, said Australia has become a strategic bystander to the Ukraine War.
“This year, the Australian government has made no major contributions to the defence of Ukraine with the exception of a small consignment of uncrewed aerial vehicles. That, and a couple of selfies by parliamentarians in Parliament House. There is a term for this, bystander behaviour,” he said.
“There is much our nation can do, now, to help Ukraine. Not only can we send Hawkei, other armoured vehicles and munitions, we can commit funds to joint purchases of equipment and munitions with European partners.
“We could also provide more humanitarian assistance, like Japan’s recent massive commitment. Australia can do more than the line of zeroes for Ukraine in the recent Defence budget.
“Beyond the physical, moral support is required. The government should send our ambassador back to Kyiv. He has been cooling his heels in Warsaw for over a year, watching on as 60-plus other nations have rushed to re-establish their Kyiv diplomatic missions. How is it too dangerous for an Australian ambassador but not his American, Canadian, and European colleagues?
“Finally, our Defence and foreign ministers should get out of their comfortable Canberra bubbles and travel to Ukraine.”
