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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

Ex-Russian plot for Kyiv embassy 'fitting'

The opposition has called for a plot of land in Canberra previously allocated for a new Russian embassy to be given to Ukraine to build its own.

Ukraine does not have an embassy or official residence for the envoy in Canberra, with ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko speaking making inquiries with the foreign affairs department after he arrived in April.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham says Australia needs to continue to support Ukraine in both practical and symbolic ways.

"It would send a very fitting message," he told the ABC on Thursday.

"Particularly right now we should be ensuring we support Ukraine in every way possible.

"After six months of this war we can't allow weariness to set in and start to neglect that conflict. We have to make sure we continue to provide practical assistance."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn't rule the proposal in or out, saying he would continue to hear "any practical suggestions that are made".

"I'll be discussing things with the Ukrainian ambassador rather than with Simon Birmingham," Mr Albanese told reporters following the senator's comments.

"I have a good relationship with the Ukrainian ambassador.

"We'll continue to engage as we have. The Australian ambassador to Ukraine continues to engage as well through (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and through those official channels."

The ACT's National Capital Authority terminated Russia's lease in mid-August due to a lack of construction activity.

Russia had been granted the lease for the site in 2008, and given approval for the construction in 2011.

As part of the lease, Russia had agreed to finish the new embassy within three years.

Initial works had commenced but the block has remained under construction every since.

Authority chief executive Sally Barnes said the decision was made due to the limited number of sites available for diplomatic purposes.

Mr Myroshnychenko said Ukraine was interested in using the plot of land to build an embassy but had not yet made an official application to the planning authority.

"This looks like a perfect plot of land for Ukraine," he told Sky News on Wednesday, which marked 31 years of Ukraine's independence.

"I haven't yet made a formal application for that but once my government approves, we will be happy to bid for the land."

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