Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Saturday marks Ukraine's Independence Day, which celebrates the country's declaration of independence on 24 August 1991. Although this war appears to no longer be newsworthy in light of other events, the sad reality is that Ukraine has been fighting a war since Russia's full-scale invasion 2½ years ago. It's incredible to realise that the war in Ukraine has dragged on for this long, but ever since Ukraine declared independence they have been attacked by Russia against their sovereignty and territorial integrity. These include the installation of a Russian puppet president followed by a violent crackdown on protesters during the Maidan Revolution, the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and Russia's backing of separatist militia in Donbas. For decades, Russia has refused to accept Ukraine's independence despite Ukraine having its own unique identity, language and culture and a desire for democracy and self-determination.

While Independence Day should be a cause for celebration, I remind people there will be Ukrainians hiding in basements from Russian missile attacks, Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front lines and displaced Ukrainians in Australia and throughout the world who simply want to return to their homeland and live in peace. Australia has provided more than $1.3 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including more than $1.1 billion in military assistance, and has imposed targeted sanctions on more than 1,200 individuals and entities supporting Russia's illegal invasion. It is in Australia's national interest to continue to support Ukraine until they can end the war on their own terms. Ukraine is half a world away, but the brave men and women on the front line of the war with Russia are not just fighting for Ukraine; they are fighting for a global rules based order on behalf of all free, democratic countries. We have not forgotten Ukraine. Slava Ukraini— (Time expired)