Australia to Open Embassy in Ukraine as Tony Abbott Considers ‘Non-Lethal …
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The Australian government is also planning to provide civil and military capacity-building assistance to Ukraine. Mr Abbott said Australia has always been grateful to Ukraine in July for its role in recovering the bodies of MH17 victims near a conflict-ridden area.
The prime minister said Australia wants to repay Ukraine for its support and help the country now that Russia has invaded it. Mr Abbott vowed Australia will do what it can for its friends while maintaining the rule of law.
On the issue of Australian uranium still being sold to Russia, Mr Abbott has confirmed the suspension following reports of proposing more sanctions to be imposed on Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is shifting its military strategy to prepare for a widening invasion of Russian troops. According to reports, Ukraine Defence Minister Valeriy Heletey declared that the military troops will stop targeting pro-Russian separatists in the east and move to a defensive strategy to prevent a “full-scale invasion of Russian troops.
NATO leaders are set to approve a reserve military unit in the event of a crisis. NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen revealed the approved force can “strike hard if needed.”
With the support of NATO and the West, Kyiv has accused Russia of sending more than 1,000 troops to fight alongside the separatists. This has become a major blow to Ukrainian forces that were close to retaking the rebel strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk.
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