Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia has directly called on the federal government to expel the Russian ambassador.
Ukraine's Charge d'Affaires Volodymyr Shalkivskyi fronted the National Press Club on Thursday amid Moscow’s deadly invasion of his country.
He had so far held off on calling for his Russian counterpart to be expelled since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in late February.
But he said atrocities against children have meant he’s shedding his diplomatic distance to call for stronger action against the Kremlin.
“When you have more than 50 children killed in your country due to the shelling, yes, I’d like the Russia ambassador to be expelled,” Mr Shalkivskyi said.
“We have to use all means we have in our power in our disposal in order to fight back, including [the] diplomatic field.”
Russia's ambassador to Australia Alexey Pavlovsky has been called in for a dressing down with the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but remains in Canberra.
Privately, the Australian Government has consistently argued against a move to expel the ambassador.
It's warned the Kremlin won't feel the impacts and any line to the regime would then be cut.
Ahead of Mr Shalkivskyi’s address, members of Canberra's Ukrainian community stood alongside the country's Australian envoy to sing their national anthem.
Mr Shalkivskyi echoed calls for an immediate end to Moscow’s military offensive against his nation, describing the invasion as “genocide”.
“If not genocide, what is the definition of it?” he said.
“Shelling continues, people are dying. Of course, we are keen to stop it but not at the price of our statehood and elimination of our ethnicities.”
Mr Shalkivskyi's own parents have remained in Ukraine making sandwiches for troops — his 73-year-old mother even contacting him about taking up the fight.
“She texted me: 'You know I went to the balcony. I think it is a good position. Can you send me a recipe of Molotov cocktail',” he said.
Ukraine’s top diplomat also welcomed Australian humanitarian aid and funding to provide missiles and ammunition being delivered to the conflict zone.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick has backed calls for the government to take stronger action against the Russian ambassador.
“We should be booting out the ambassador making it very clear that the conduct is unconscionable [and] unacceptable,” he told SBS News.
Mr Shalkivskyi has called for all possible avenues to be pursued to apply pressure against Russia.
“Having my parents in a bomb shelter — it makes you more decisive," he said.
"So, yes, I will appreciate any kind of push from the Australian government that is possible in order to deliver the messages."
The federal government has announced a raft of sanctions against Russian military commanders, oligarchs as well as its President Vladimir Putin in response to the crisis.
It's also been revealed Australian visas issued to Ukrainians have now surpassed 3,000 in response to the crisis.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke spoke to UNHCR Regional Representative Adrian Edwards on Wednesday and extended Australia’s offer of support for future humanitarian initiatives.
He also urged the UNHCR to contact him with details of what they need from Australia as soon as they know.
