Australians with no military training wanting to fight against Russian forces in Ukraine are being warned against becoming cannon fodder and a “liability” for the defensive.
Instead, those wanting to help Ukraine should consider donating money to go towards humanitarian aid, as the number of refugees fleeing the nation approaches one million.
Stefan Romaniw, vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress, and co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said Australians who wanted to volunteer to fight needed to do their own risk assessment, but ultimately consider whether they would be a “liability”.
“Our position is clear – it’s a decision that people have to make. But our one bit of advice, if you have no military training, if you are wanting to fight because of emotions, you might be a liability rather than an asset,” Mr Romaniw told NCA NewsWire.
“I know for our American and Canada colleagues, where people have had a lot of military training … that’s the sort of person who would be of benefit.
“But if you’re talking about going and helping, I thinxjmtzywk it’s important what we do now is factor in what’s important.
“Otherwise we’ll end up with good-hearted people with no military experience wanting to fight. It’s a liability.
“If you have an inkling that you want to go and fight, you need to risk assess … We can’t tell people to go or not go.”
Mr Romaniw’s comments come as it’s reported at least 20 Australians have registered their interest with the Ukrainian Embassy in Australia to fight, in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for foreign fighters to join the resistance.
Mr Zelensky said the Ukrainian armed forces were in the process of setting up a foreign legion unit for international volunteers.
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Liz Truss voiced her support for citizens to go to Ukraine and join the international force.
But, questions about the legal status of any Australian who does volunteer to fight in Ukraine are being raised.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has ruled out sending Australian troops to Ukraine, will convene the national security committee on Tuesday, with the matter to be discussed.
On Monday, Mr Morrison said it remained unclear what was being proposed by Mr Zelensky.
“Our law sets out arrangements where people can be involved in official activity by a sovereign state, which Ukraine obviously qualifies for,” he said.
“But the nature of these arrangements are very uncertain.”
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the waters were murky about how Australians could fight in Ukraine.
“Australian law, existing Australian law, prohibits Australian citizens and residents and holders of Australian visas from engaging in hostile activities unless serving in the armed forces of a foreign country,” Senator Payne said on Monday.
“So, AUstralians who travel in Ukraine with a non-government armed group on either side of the conflict, or recruit someone else to do so, may be committing a criminal offence.”
Under the latest travel advice, Australians have been told not to travel to Ukraine, with a warning now in place for Australians to leave Russia.
Mr Romaniw will meet with Mr Morrison on Tuesday to discuss how else Australia can help Ukraine and Ukrainians.
“We believe the Russian ambassador should be expelled,” he said.
Mr Romaniw said Australians wanting to help should donate to humanitarian appeal – the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
