Arabic version: انسحابات من نادٍ في كانبيرا بسبب زوجة السفير الروسي

According to ABC News, an international diplomatic dispute has developed at Canberra’s Women’s International Club after it admitted Irina Petrakova, the wife of Russian ambassador Mikhail Petrakov. Liana Myroshnychenko, wife of Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko, resigned after saying her concerns about the membership decision were not heard.

Myroshnychenko said she first raised objections in April, when she learned Petrakova had been nominated. In a letter to the club’s board and members, she said the issue was not simply Petrakova’s nationality but her position as the spouse of an ambassador from a country “destroying my country and devastating the lives of my people”. She said the view that an ambassador’s spouse is apolitical did not reflect diplomatic life.

The club, founded in 1964, says it has more than 300 women from 50 countries and offers a welcome to diplomats and their families. ABC News understands the organisation sought legal advice and was told that refusing Petrakova’s membership might breach anti-discrimination laws. Myroshnychenko said other ambassadors’ wives also warned the board about foreign-interference and personal-security risks.

The wives of the Italian and Estonian ambassadors also withdrew their memberships following Myroshnychenko’s resignation. Petrakov said his wife’s acceptance complied with the club’s rules and Australian legislation, and described the walkout as political pressure by the Ukrainian side. Club president Sandie Kaine said she was not referring to the women who resigned when she mentioned “bigots” in an annual general meeting speech. Myroshnychenko said she still believed the club could postpone Petrakova’s membership until the war ends.