18 August 2026

The Permanent Representative met with the Ambassador of Australia, Geoffrey Bowan

On August 17, a working meeting took place at the Office of the Crimea Platform between Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Ukraine, Geoff Bowan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues related to the temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the observance and protection of human rights and the comprehensive support of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

Particular attention was paid to the resilience of the Crimean Tatar people and other indigenous peoples of Ukraine in their fight for their rights, the preservation of their national identity and the commemoration of the victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.

Among other topics, the parties exchanged views on the militarization of Crimea, the environmental impact of the Russian occupation, the security situation in the Black Sea and Russia’s use of the temporarily occupied Crimea as a hub for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

The Permanent Representative outlined key developments regarding the post-war recovery of the peninsula, the priority steps to be taken immediately following de-occupation, and ongoing work within the framework of transitional justice.

An important focus of the meeting was the support for Crimean political prisoners. The parties discussed opportunities to engage international partners in the  Advocacy Mentorship Initiative, which serves to amplify the voices of Crimean political prisoners on the international stage and draw attention to Russia’s systemic human rights violations.

Furthermore, the discussion touched upon cooperation with Australian youth and academic institutions. In particular, the participants highlighted a lecture on the history of Crimea and the current situation on the peninsula, which was delivered to students at Western Sydney University in 2025.

Nelia Hrynyshyn, Head of the Crimea Platform Department reported on preparations for significant international events scheduled for this year, including the Crimea Platform summits and the Crimea Global international conference, which aims to strengthen dialogue with countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

We are grateful to Australia for its consistent support of Ukraine and for standing in solidarity with our nation during these challenging times.