Ukraine, Russia and the Future of Europe

Abstract

Australia was the only country outside Europe and NATO to support the international campaign to expel Russian diplomats in response to the nerve-agent attack in Salisbury. Australia’s decision caused a significant squall of criticism from the Russian side. The Russian Embassy in Canberra accused the Australian side of destroying the "the relatively small but substantial positive asset in relationship, which was created by a joint effort during the last years." Russia expelled two Australian diplomats in response. Despite the fact that Canberra consistently supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, there are still surprisingly many Putin apologists in some of Australia’s educated milieus. Ukrinform spoke with a leading Australian expert on Eastern Europe, Research Fellow of the Australian National University's Centre for European Studies, Dr John Besemeres, about why this is so, what attitudes to Ukraine and Russia prevail in Australian society today, how Australia tackles Russian propaganda and how he views Ukraine’s strategic position against the background of Europe and the Western alliance. Show more