PM vows ‘strongest possible action’ if Russian forces harmed Oscar Jenkins
Anthony Albanese is vowing to “take the strongest possible action” if Russian forces have harmed captured Australian man Oscar Jenkins.
The remarks came amid reports Mr Jenkins, who was captured fighting in Ukraine some time last year, has been killed.
The Prime Minister said on Wednesday his government was working to get the facts.
“We call upon Russia to immediately confirm Oscar Jenkins’ status,” Mr Albanese told reporters.
“We remain gravely concerned. We’ll await the facts to come out. But, if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that’s absolutely reprehensible and the Australian government will take the strongest action possible.”
Seven reported overnight that Mr Jenkins was killed, citing Ukrainian sources.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it had not verified the report.
Mr Albanese confirmed Russia’s ambassador to Australia, Aleksey Pavlovsky, had been called in to clear things up.
‘All options’
Footage showing Russian troops interrogating Mr Jenkins, 32, began circulating on pro-Kremlin social media channels in late December.
In the video, his inability to speak fluently appears to frustrate his interrogator, who hits him multiple times and repeatedly swears at him and mocks him.
At one point, the Russian asks him: “Do you want to live?”
Mr Jenkins replies: “I want to help Ukraine.”
Commenting on the latest reporting, Penny Wong said “Russia is obliged to treat all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law, this includes humane treatment and the right to a fair trial”.
“We will look at the facts when they have been ascertained,” she said.
“But I want to be clear, all options are on the table.”
When the video emerged, a Ukrainian security source confirmed to NewsWire Mr Jenkins was fighting as part of the International Legion of Defence of Ukraine, but could not comment on his status.
The video came just days after Australia pledged fresh aid to Ukraine and announced the reopening of the embassy in Kyiv.
Canberra has given Kyiv north of $1.5bn worth of support in its fight against invading Russian forces, including munitions and battle tanks.
The bipartisan backing for Ukraine has landed Australia a spot on Vladimir Putin’s register of “unfriendly countries” – the Kremlin’s geopolitical naughty list.
But Senator Wong pointed out relations between Australia and Russia have been in a poor state for more than a decade.
“Obviously, this does not occur in the context of relationship that has been an easy relationship,” she said.
“This has been a very difficult relationship for many years, including the downing of MH17 in 2014 as well as the illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
“Australia has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia through that period under different governments.
“However, we will consider all options once we have ascertained the facts and once we can verify what has actually occurred here with Mr Jenkins.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday (January 12) Kyiv is ready to hand over North Korean soldiers to their leader Kim Jong-un if he can organise their exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia. Nyima Pratten reports.
Meanwhile, opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham has urged the Albanese government to cut all diplomatic ties with Russia if Mr Jenkins was indeed killed in captivity.
“If reports are true that Russia undertook an extrajudicial execution of a captured Australian citizen then the Albanese government should respond in the strongest possible terms,” Senator Birmingham said in a statement.
“If Russia has engaged in such an egregious and illegal action then it must now be a catalyst for action.
“Nothing less than the recalling of Australia’s ambassador to Russia and expulsion of Russia’s ambassador to Australia would be sufficient in such circumstances.”
It is unclear how Mr Jenkins, a vegan activist working as a college lecturer in China, found his way to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s International Legion is part of the Ukrainian defence forces, but its legality is ambiguous, made up largely by ex-soldiers and impassioned civilians from Ukraine’s Western allies.
Australia’s position on it has been especially murky.
Joining a foreign military is not illegal, but “entering or preparing to enter a foreign country to engage in a hostile activity” could get an Australian life behind bars, according to the Attorney-General’s Department.
The legion also blurs the lines of third country involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Most Western governments have advised their citizens against joining up but not actively blocked them from doing so.
