Australian extremists urged not to join Ukraine war over fear of posing security risk in their country
February 28, 2022, 8:30 am

Australian extremists urged not to join Ukraine war over fear of posing security risk in their country

Australia -Melbourne city-Flinders street station/Pixabay

The ABC reported that political leaders and terror experts warn that Australians with radical views could be drawn to take part in the conflict in Ukraine, potentially posing a security risk if they return home.

It said that the Department of Home Affairs and spy agency ASIO have both said they monitor those travelling to join the conflict in the region, which has already drawn thousands of foreign fighters — including a small number of Australians — since 2014.

It is feared Russia's invasion could spark renewed global interest in joining the fight and Australian laws may not prevent extremists from travelling to take part and then returning home.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on "all citizens of the world" to join Ukraine’s defence.

President Volodymyr Zelensky-PM Boris Johnson/Facebook page — President Volodymyr Zelensky-PM Boris Johnson (File photo: Facebook page)

In the past, right-wing and left-wing extremists have been drawn to both sides of the conflict.

Even as their compatriots battle to hold on to their capital, Ukrainians in Australia say they do not want to see ideologically motivated foreigners join the fight.

Stefan Romaniw, co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, told RN Breakfast: "If you've got an agenda, then I don't think you're serving anybody's purpose."

Vladimir Putin thanks his special forces for fulfilling their 'heroic' military duty in Ukraine

His message to those considering the trip was simple: "Don't."

Source: abc

Vladimir Putin thanks his special forces for fulfilling their 'heroic' military duty in Ukraine UK tightens sanctions against Russia in concert with US and EU

Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.