International Working Group on Security Guarantees for Ukraine

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will join a new advisory group charged with recommending practical security mechanisms to deter future aggression against Ukraine.

The International Working Group on Security Guarantees for Ukraine was established in May at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make recommendations about effective mechanisms to safeguard Ukraine’s long-term security.

The working group comprises international experts from global politics, foreign policy, diplomacy and academia from across the political spectrum. It is co-chaired by Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former NATO Secretary-General and Prime Minister of Denmark.

The other participants include William Hague, Michele Flournoy, Carl Bildt, Norbert Roettgen, Anna Fotyga, Giampiero Massolo, Adam Eberhardt, Marie Dumoulin, Andrii Kostin and Roxana Cristescu.

After his appointment was announced overnight, Mr Rudd said: “Russia’s unprovoked attacks against the people of Ukraine aren’t just barbaric – they violate repeated public commitments by Moscow to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and political independence.

“Ultimately, these non-binding commitments by Russia weren’t strong enough to prevent Ukraine being invaded in either 2014 or 2022, nor were ambiguous commitments by other countries to support Ukraine’s defence.

“Ukrainians are rightly focused on winning this war. But when it ends, Ukrainian leaders will want to clearly understand what sorts of domestic and international mechanisms might deter further aggression against their country by Russia or any other state.

“I hope this working group’s recommendations will support Ukraine’s legitimate desire to rebuild as a strong, free and sovereign country pursuing its own destiny.”

Mr Rudd advised the Australian Government that he would be accepting the invitation to join the working group prior to last night's announcement. The role is a part-time, unpaid assignment envisaged to last for approximately three months.

Mr Rudd has served as Australia’s Prime Minister (2007-2010, 2013) and Foreign Minister (2010-2012). Mr Rudd became President and CEO of Asia Society in January 2021 and has been president of the Asia Society Policy Institute since January 2015.