The Ukrainian Greens have attacked their Australian counterparts for opposing military aid to defend against Russia, accusing their sister party of adopting an absurd stance that benefits Vladimir Putin.
The comments show new Greens leader David Shoebridge’s stance has resonated in Ukraine, even as the war-weary nation battles a lack of support from US President Donald Trump and a loss of access to a crucial satellite network owned by Elon Musk.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko emerged unsatisfied from a meeting with Shoebridge on Friday after the party leader stood by his position that Australia should limit its support to non-military means.
In a statement issued from Kyiv, the Green Party of Ukraine expressed “deep disappointment” with Shoebridge’s comments on military aid, arguing that “refusing to provide defensive weapons to a country waging a just war of liberation is a dangerous illusion that plays into the hands of the aggressor, Vladimir Putin”.
“Dogmatic pacifism kills,” the party warned.
Shoebridge told this masthead after winning the leadership earlier this month: “The Greens have been clear from day one that we’re a party of peace and non-violence, and we don’t support military aid to the Ukraine.”
He said the party would support providing military aid to Ukraine if it were backed by the United Nations Security Council, but critics have noted Russia would inevitably use its veto power to block any such move.
The Green Party of Ukraine said the party was stunned by the “absurdity” of a position it argued was “detached from reality”
“It is equivalent to asking a criminal for permission to call the police,” the party said.
The Ukrainian Greens applauded Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young for supporting military aid to Ukraine, noting European green parties have been at the forefront of calls for greater support to equip Ukraine to defend itself.
“We call on David Shoebridge to reconsider his position, listen to the voices of Ukrainian environmentalists and support the provision of defensive weapons to Ukraine,” the party said.
“Only victory over the aggressor can restore peace and security to the European continent.”
Shoebridge defended the party’s stance, saying: “The position taken on the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine has been the same since 2022; there has been no change.
“The Greens have a long-standing opposition to the international arms trade, but do support direct aid to Ukraine to support the people in their self-defence from an illegal invasion.
“This is a position taken by Green parties around the world, including in New Zealand and many European countries.”
Repeating his calls for a crackdown on Russian “blood oil” imports entering Australia, Shoebridge said: “We can assure the people of Ukraine that the Australian Greens are steadfast in our opposition to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the right of the Ukrainian people to self-defence.”
Division within the Greens over Ukraine has been a distraction for the party in the early days of Shoebridge’s leadership, alongside Senator Jordon Steele-John’s decision to step down from the party room after party members complained about his behaviour.
Then Greens whip Janet Rice spoke in support of a March 2022 Senate motion noting that Australia “continues to provide humanitarian assistance to help meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people along with military assistance to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s unjust actions”.
“We affirm our support for the right of the people of Ukraine to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we support the measures that are outlined in this Senate motion,” Rice told the Senate.
The Greens did not say they opposed providing military support in their comments to a 2024 Senate report on Australian support for Ukraine.
Myroshnychenko said he held a “frank and forthright” conversation with Shoebridge on Friday.
“We continue to be concerned with his anti-military aid position, as it empowers Putin,” he said.
“However we welcome his support for non-military aid.
“We engage with the Greens as we can, but disagree where we must.”
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has urged the Greens to reconsider the party’s position, saying it has caused angst among the community in Australia.
Trump put new sanctions on Russia on hold just before they were due to take effect over the weekend, following his shock decision to strike a deal to import Russian diesel.
Trump has called for Ukraine to choose a new leader while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has grown increasingly critical of Trump.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.