Australia denounces Russia ahead of Kyiv embassy return

Australia will reopen its embassy in Kyiv 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 toured Ukraine and met with Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

During their meeting, Mr Sybiha updated Senator Wong on the battlefield situation and Russia's shelling of critical infrastructure and energy systems, including nuclear facilities.

He requested additional military assistance, including more armoured Bushmaster vehicles.

"Russia doesn't want peace and does everything to expand the war, from engaging the North Korean troops to the use of medium-range ballistic missiles," he said in a joint press conference with Senator Wong in Kyiv on Thursday.

"In these circumstances, peace can only be achieved by force, by strengthening Ukraine and by making the war more expensive for the aggressor."

Russia "has now sunk to new lows in inviting North Korea to cooperate to try and win this war", Senator Wong said.

Australia will reopen its embassy in Kyiv and Ambassador to Ukraine Paul Lehmann and the deputy head of mission will return in January after the posting was closed when Russia invaded in 2022 and moved to Poland due to safety concerns.

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.

Australia had maintained it would open the embassy when it was safe to do so, Senator Wong said.

"We're opening the embassy as a demonstration of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine and my visit here comes at a critical time in this conflict," she said.

Canada had been able to open its embassy due to security arrangements for NATO members - of which Australia isn't a part - Senator Wong said when questioned about a difference in safety assessments.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham, a critic of Australia keeping the embassy closed, welcomed the re-opening.

"Penny Wong's inability to articulate why the embassy can reopen now, after arguing for more than two years that it couldn't, only reinforces that this decision could and should have been made a long time ago," he said.

Mr Sybiha further invited Australia to take part in a Ukraine recovery conference in 2025 and and asked the government to consider Ukraine's needs when decommissioning military equipment, after Canberra gifted tanks set to be aged out of the defence force.

"We would welcome the participation of Australia and Australian companies in Ukraine reconstruction, he said.

Senator Wong committed $66 million to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to help Ukraine access $400 million in additional lending over 10 years to assist with recovery.

Another $10 million will go to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to provide heat and electricity for civilians.

Australia will also provide $80,000 for community organisation Save Ukraine which supports vulnerable families and children.

This takes Australia's support of Ukraine to more than $1.5 billion in aid since Russia's invasion almost three years ago in February.