Key Points
- Ukraine's ambassador to Australia is optimistic US and Ukrainian leaders can repair their relationship.
- Vasyl Myroshnychenko has requested additional Bushmaster armoured vehicles from Australia.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia will "stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes".
Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said he's "optimistic" the United States and Ukrainian leaders can come back from last week’s Oval Office blow up, adding Ukraine is "interested in having peace".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday described the heated exchange as regrettable in a statement issued a day after US President Donald Trump halted military aid to his country.
Zelenskyy also said he's ready to sign a deal to give the US access to Ukrainian minerals — one left on the table when he abandoned the Washington talks — while expressing an intention to "make things right" with Trump.
Myroshnychenko told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday that such an approach is conducive to a desire for peace, to which "US commitment is vital".
"The contribution from the US in terms of military equipment has been the biggest one in the world," he said.
"This is the only way we can intercept Russian ballistic missiles coming," Myroshnychenko said.
Additional Bushmasters from Australia
Amid crumbling US support for Ukraine, Myroshnychenko has requested additional Bushmaster armoured vehicles from Australia.
"We certainly will be grateful if Australia could send more of those Bushmasters," he said.
To date, Australia's military support to Ukraine has included at least 120 Bushmasters, which are produced by French-owned defence manufacturer Thales at its facility in Victoria.
Myroshnychenko said Australia's contribution, used for "evacuating soldiers from frontlines", has already "saved many lives".
"We really appreciate their contributions from Australia, and I think this is what is making us stronger together, because the assault of Russia on Ukraine is not only on Ukraine, it’s on liberal democracies," he said.
"We need to be together to defend the democracy."
Peacekeeping mission 'a must'
There is some possibility that Australia's aid to Ukraine could extend to involvement in a post-war peacekeeping mission, after United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was looking to involve non-European countries, including Australia, in a proposed coalition.
Defence Minister Richard Marles told Nine's Today on Wednesday that Australia will "stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," repeating the prime minister's pledge to consider any such request for participation.
Asked later on Sky News whether Australia should instead prioritise its own security, given the recent circumnavigation of Australia by Chinese warships, Marles said: "We can walk and chew gum at the same time."
Myroshnychenko has welcomed the UK-led proposal, saying the "presence of a military is a must".
"We need to deter any future Russian aggression … We need to have rock solid guarantees to have a sustainable, just and comprehensive peace."
