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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 set to dominate the agenda. 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 and Australian PM Tony Abbott will attend a prayer vigil for the victims in Melbourne. 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'
On the eve of President Poroshenko's two-day visit, Mr Abbott said it "provides an opportunity to build on the strong spirit of co-operation forged since the tragic events of MH17". 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".
He said the two leaders would also "discuss our shared commitment to a thorough and robust investigation and to bringing those responsible to justice". 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 added that the visit would also be "an opportunity for Australia to reaffirm its support for Ukraine in the face of continuing threats to its territorial integrity". 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".
In Australia, President Poroshenko is also expected to meet Australian business leaders to discuss investing into Ukraine's struggling economy. 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.