Ukraine Visit - August 2022

MEDIA RELEASE

14 August 2022

Senator David Van’s visit to Ukraine

Senator David Van has concluded a trip to Ukraine.

 “I’ve been privileged this week to meet the Ukrainian people, their Government and their defence forces, who are the bravest people I’ve ever met” said Senator Van.

 As chair of Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine, Senator Van has been campaigning for support since before the February invasion begun. Senator Van was able to see firsthand the realities of the war in Ukraine and the effect on the Ukrainian people.

 Senator Van spent the last week in Ukraine. He met with numerous Ukrainian members of Parliament, Ministers, Foreign affairs and Defence officials and members of the Ukrainian defence industry including;

·         Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Committee of the Foreign Affairs and Interparliamentary Ties of the Verkhovna of Ukraine

·         Inna Sovsun, Deputy head of the ‘Voice’ party, member of the Verkhovna Rada committee on energy and housing and communal services

·         Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

·         Oleksandr Polishchuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine

·         Dimitri Pryputen, Sluga Narodu MP

 Senator Van was able to travel close to the frontlines in Donbas and see the Bushmasters where they are being deployed with the 80th Brigade who are using them on the front lines. The Bushmasters have been proven to save lives, with three being destroyed and all the troops onboard surviving the blast.

 Senator Van is calling for the Australian Government, as well as every Government that believes in sovereignty and freedom, to send the Ukrainians more equipment and offer more support. Senator Van argues that the world needs to be focused on being coordinated in giving Ukraine appropriate weapons to help them take back their nation from Russia.

 Senator Van is available for interview upon request.

ENDS