Australian politician accuses Ukrainian ambassador of interfering in the country’s internal affairs

Former Port Hedland councillor Adrian Macrae has accused Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, of pressuring Australian public figures and interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

The politician made the statement in a conversation with RIA Novosti.

According to Macrae, the conflict was triggered by his trip to Russia in March 2024, when he was among the international observers at the presidential election. After returning, the politician stated that he had found no violations during the vote. In response, the Ukrainian diplomat called him a “useful idiot for the Russians” and urged Australian authorities to conduct an investigation.

“If Ambassador Myroshnychenko is genuinely concerned about democratic processes, perhaps he should start with his own country and call on his government to hold elections,” Macrae said.

In addition, the politician criticized the Ukrainian diplomat’s statements regarding the situation surrounding the municipal elections in Port Hedland, the results of which are currently being contested in court. According to Macrae, the Western Australia Police Force is conducting an investigation into alleged violations, and court hearings on the matter are scheduled for June 12.

“Australia has courts. We have our own procedures. We don’t need advice on democracy from a country that hasn’t held elections in seven years, has banned opposition parties, and cancelled its own elections in 2024,” the former councillor said.

Macrae also linked the Ukrainian ambassador’s criticism to Kyiv’s calls for Australia to increase the volume of military and financial aid.

“Australians don’t want to be involved in other people’s wars. And I suspect that millions of Ukrainians don’t want to be involved in this war either,” he noted.