On November 24, the Australian Parliament held a presentation for a new analytical report by the John Curtin Research Centre (JCRC) titled “Winning the Peace — Australia and Ukraine's Recovery.” The report examines the role that Australia can and should play in rebuilding Ukraine following the conclusion of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
This was reported by the UGCC Department for Information, referencing the press service of the Melbourne Eparchy.
The event in Canberra brought together representatives from government institutions, the scientific community, and the Ukrainian community. At the invitation of Senator Deborah O'Neill, Bishop Mykola Bychok participated in the presentation. Among the guests was also the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.
In his speech, the cardinal expressed gratitude to the Australian government and society for their unwavering support of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion. He emphasized that Ukraine is currently experiencing a pivotal moment in history.
“Today, it is crucial to determine the price of peace for Ukrainians and what security guarantees the state will require to prevent future acts of aggression,” he stated.
The cardinal also recalled recent events commemorating the victims of the Holodomor, a tragedy that claimed the lives of seven to ten million Ukrainians, and underscored that the ongoing war starkly illustrates the magnitude of Russian aggression.
“Just four days ago, nine Russian missiles struck my hometown, Ternopil, showing how little regard Russia has for peace,” the bishop added.
JCRC Executive Director Nick Dyrenfurth emphasized that Australia is at a crossroads: it can either remain a passive observer or become a reliable partner for Ukraine in one of the largest reconstruction efforts since World War II. He believes that Australia's level of engagement in supporting Ukraine will significantly influence its security, competitiveness, and international standing in the coming decades.
The report proposes several specific actions, including enhancing Australia's diplomatic presence in Kyiv, involving Australian experts in areas such as energy, logistics, agriculture, and demining, and organizing an Australian-Ukrainian reconstruction conference in 2026.