Australia will reopen its embassy in Kyiv in 2025 and give cash to a recovery fund as it doubles down on support for Ukraine “at a critical time in this conflict”.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the announcement in the capital Kyiv as part of a trip to the country which she hoped would “express Australia’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine”.
Wong visited the site of the embassy that was closed by the then-Liberal government in February 2022 following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
When Australia evacuated the embassy, its staff were initially relocated to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, before moving to Warsaw, Poland.
Wong said: “Australia’s ambassador, as well as our deputy head of mission, will return to Kyiv” as of January.
“The Albanese government has always said we would reopen our embassy in Kyiv when it is safe to do so.”
The Opposition had criticised what it called “the Albanese government’s stubborn refusal to reopen” the diplomatic mission and .
A cross-party parliamentary inquiry in November said there was a “strong case” for a return of a physical diplomatic presence, pointing to 70 other nations that have reopened their embassies.
In response to a question about Australia’s delay in reopening its embassy, Ukraine foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday it has not impacted bilateral relations.
“It’s an important factor in deepening the bilateral relationship as the ambassador can get information first-hand and more direct communication,” he said.
“Also, it’s a show of solidarity with Ukraine. Australian people understand the hardships suffered by the Ukrainian people, and we welcome deeper bilateral relations.”
During his meeting with Wong, Sybiha updated the foreign minister on the battlefield situation and
New funds for recovery and reconstruction
While in Ukraine, Wong also announced more than $77 million of support which she said was to assist Ukraine “in response to Russia’s brutal, illegal war”.
Australia will provide $66 million to assist with recovery and reconstruction efforts and $10 million to provide heat and electricity for Ukrainians.
A further $80,000 will facilitate the work of the community organisation Save Ukraine, which supports vulnerable families affected by the conflict.
Wong said what happens to Ukraine matters to Australians.
“Ukraine’s fight against Russia has consequences for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific.”
Australia has provided more than $1.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine since full-scale conflict began almost three years ago.