‘What is the big idea?’ Russian ambassador fights for wife’s right to join social club

A Canberra social club’s decision to grant membership to the wife of Russia’s ambassador to Australia has sparked a diplomatic stoush in the nation’s capital, triggering resignations and claims of discrimination.

Moscow’s ambassador in Australia, Mikhail Petrakov, accused Ukraine of promoting Russophobia following the resignation of Liana Myroshnychenko, the wife of Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko, from the Women’s International Club of Canberra after it admitted Petrakov’s wife Irina Petrakova.

The spouses of Italy and Estonia’s ambassadors joined Myroshnychenko in quitting the club in protest, and the European Union’s ambassador to Australia expressed deep disappointment at the club’s decision.

Russian ambassador Mikhail Petrakov’s wife joined a Canberra social club, prompting walkouts. James BrickwoodThe self-described women’s friendship club, established in 1964, says it has 300 members, representing more than 50 countries.

It organises an array of activities for members including bridge, mahjong, tennis, craft groups, dining groups, photography, meditation and origami, with a focus on women living in Canberra on diplomatic or business postings.

Petrakov said in a Facebook post on Thursday that Ukraine had injected politics into “a purely social, non-political institution”, noting the spouses of other Russian ambassadors had previously been admitted as members.

“Diplomats’ spouses do not represent governments. By accepting Irina Petrakova, WIC acted in accordance with its rules and Australian legislation,” Petrakov said.

“What we see now is an act of political pressure on Australian laws and institutions by the Ukrainian side, its attempt to determine who are more equal than others, promote Russophobia, both in the club and in the country.”

Petrakov suggested the timing of the resignations was striking given Ukrainian and Russian representatives were holding talks with the United States in Abu Dhabi.

“What’s the big idea?” he asked. “Like it or not, socialise or not, Russia will not go anywhere. Will Australians agree that Russia and her national interests should be respected? Will Australian public bow down to the attempts to impose the Ukrainian will, and to discredit a well-respected club? Or will it listen to the voice of reason and Australian laws?”

In her resignation letter to the club, first reported by Politico, Myroshnychenko said she was not opposed to Petrakova’s membership simply because she is Russian but because she is in Australia representing “the country that killed my cousin, burned my friend alive, took the lives of many of my friends from school and university”.

“She represents a Russia that kills, maims, commits sexual violence and subjects people to horrific torture – a Russia for which, through its actions, the value of human life appears to be disregarded,” she wrote.

Myroshnychenko’s husband Vasyl, who has represented Ukraine in Australia since shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, escalated the dispute by accusing the club’s president Sandie Kaine of describing his wife and the other ambassadorial spouses who quit as “bigots” at its recent annual general meeting.

“I am particularly appalled by this development given the extraordinary solidarity and support that Australia and the Australian people have shown Ukraine throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion,” he said in a social media post on Monday.

“Such a dismissive attitude of the President of the Club towards the personal pain and principled position of those directly affected by this war is deeply disappointing.

“Let me be very clear: refusing to socialise with a representative of Russia, which is waging a genocidal war against Ukraine, is not bigotry. It is a matter of conscience, dignity and solidarity with the victims of that aggression.”

Kaine, who is also a reverend at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Canberra, provided a media release from the club stating it stood by its decision and that it believed it should not become involved in political disputes.

“Women’s International Club has always welcomed women from all countries who are living in Canberra on temporary appointments,” the statement said. “We will not abandon the principles on which the club was built and will continue to welcome those women.”

The club received legal advice saying it would have breached discrimination laws by banning Petrakova, it said.

The club said it had “always been non-political and non-sectarian” and that these principles “have been central to our identity since our establishment and remain fundamental to our existence”.

Kaine’s comments at the annual general meeting had been “taken out of context and widely misrepresented”, it added.

Petrakov, who began his posting this year, attracted controversy last month when he attended a speech by Greens leader David Shoebridge at the National Press Club in Canberra.

Shoebridge has drawn criticism for opposing the provision of Australian military aid to Ukraine, a stance Ukrainian supporters say plays into Putin’s hands.

Shoebridge said Petrakov was “100 per cent not welcome” at his speech, adding he was “100 per cent not invited, I don’t want him here”.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

You've used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.