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Ukraine's President Poroshenko begins Australia visit | Ukraine's President Poroshenko begins Australia visit |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ukraine's president has begun a two-day visit to Australia, with the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 dominating the agenda. | |
Petro Poroshenko met Australian PM Tony Abbott, and the two leaders were set to attend a prayer vigil for the victims. | |
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supplying the missile to bring down the plane over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July. Russia denies the claim. | Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supplying the missile to bring down the plane over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July. Russia denies the claim. |
All 298 people on board the plane - including 38 Australians - died. | All 298 people on board the plane - including 38 Australians - died. |
'Reaffirming support' | 'Reaffirming support' |
At a joint news conference on Thursday, Mr Abbott described the shooting down of MH17 as "mass murder", saying he wanted an inquiry "to be concluded as quickly as possible". | |
On the eve of President Poroshenko's two-day visit, Mr Abbott said the two leaders would "discuss our shared commitment to a thorough and robust investigation and to bringing those responsible to justice". | |
The prime minister also reaffirmed Australia's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity in "the face of continuing threats". | |
He was referring to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in March and accusations that Moscow was arming separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine and sending its regular troops there. | He was referring to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in March and accusations that Moscow was arming separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine and sending its regular troops there. |
Russia has repeatedly stated that any Russian nationals fighting alongside the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk region are "volunteers". | Russia has repeatedly stated that any Russian nationals fighting alongside the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk region are "volunteers". |
Mr Poroshenko thanked Mr Abbott and the Australian people for their support, saying the "whole world is together with Ukraine". | |
In September, Mr Abbott's government said it would provide non-lethal assistance to Ukraine's armed forces. | |
In Australia, Mr Poroshenko is also expected to meet local business leaders to discuss investing into Ukraine's struggling economy. | |
Australia has already provided nearly AS$100m (£53m; $83m) to the International Monetary Fund to help support Ukraine. | Australia has already provided nearly AS$100m (£53m; $83m) to the International Monetary Fund to help support Ukraine. |
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