Australian leaders mark three years since Russia’s ‘illegal’ invasion of Ukraine | USAEMALL.com

Australian leaders will commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion and Ukraine’s ongoing resistance on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton both described the unprovoked attack on February 24, 2022 as “illegal” and commended the strength of the Ukrainian people.

“For three years, Ukraine has bravely resisted Russia’s illegal and immoral war of aggression,” Mr Albanese said in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine. We have committed over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself.

“Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.

“Working with Ukraine and our partners, Australia supports a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

The grim milestone comes as tensions between the US and Ukraine came to a head last week, after US President Donald Trump labelled Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy “a dictator”.

Washington officials also re-established relations with their Russian counterparts to attempt to resolve a peace deal but excluded Ukraine from talks.

Mr Dutton, alongside shadow foreign minister David Coleman and shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie, said it had been an unfathomable three years.

“It’s hard for most Australians to fathom that, today, three years have passed since war returned to Europe — three years have passed since Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, and abominable invasion of Ukraine,” they stated.

“But for three years, Ukrainians have felt every day of war.

“As Australians look on from afar and see the horrors and heartache of war that Ukrainians continue to endure every day, we also see, every day, a country of heroes.

“They did not cower in fear — they fought back with courage.

“President Zelenskyy has been a brave and inspirational leader in staring down a murderous dictator.”

The Coalition took aim at the Albanese Government for it’s “slow and weak” support for the embattled county.

“Australia should not just applaud Ukrainians, but continue to support Ukraine through the provision of military equipment, supplies and aid. The Coalition has been disappointed by the Albanese Government’s slow and weak support for Ukraine,” it said.

“We saw the Government’s refusal to provide MRH-90 Taipan helicopters.

“Labor inexplicably left our embassy in Kyiv vacant for almost three years, and ignored a request to support the nation’s energy needs.”

However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers reaffirmed the Government’s backing for Kyiv.

“Our support for Ukraine has been unwavering and that will continue. We’ve said that Ukraine obviously needs to be part of any peace discussions,” he said