Key Factors
- Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles introduced recent army assist for Ukraine whereas visiting the war-torn nation.
- The $100 million opackage contains unmanned drones, air defence techniques, and security tools.
- Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Australia has pledged an additional $100 million in assist for Ukraine off the again of the defence minister’s go to to the war-torn nation.
The bundle contains $50 million for short-range air defence techniques, $30 million for unmanned drones and $15 million for “excessive precedence” tools equivalent to fight helmets, inflatable boats, boots, hearth masks and turbines.
Ukraine may even obtain air-to-ground precision munitions.
It brings Australia’s whole contributions to greater than $1 billion since Russia’s invasion, together with about $880 million of army help.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Havryliuk throughout a one-day journey to the war-torn nation.
Marles met with Ukrainian authorities officers and toured defence websites throughout a go to to Lviv within the nation’s far west, close to the Polish border.
He additionally laid a wreath at a commemoration ceremony for former graduates who had been killed throughout his go to to the Nationwide Military Academy, the place he additionally met the following technology of Ukrainian military leaders.
It was essential to go to the nation in particular person as a present of assist, Marles mentioned.
“It is actually essential that the world would not neglect Ukraine, it issues that persons are coming right here and that folks and nations are persevering with to offer assist,” he advised reporters in Lviv on Saturday, native time.
“In order that’s why we felt it was crucial, on this event, not simply to announce a tranche of assist however to announce it right here in Ukraine.”
The brand new tranche was “in no way the tip”, he mentioned as he pledged Australia’s enduring assist.
Shmyhal thanked Australia and the minister for his go to whereas standing alongside Marles in Lviv.
“I wish to specific my heartfelt due to the individuals and authorities of Australia for a transparent and constant place on Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemning Russian aggression,” he mentioned.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations welcomed the extra assist, however known as for the federal government to incorporate extra funding within the upcoming federal price range.
“That is desperately wanted to beat hesitancy within the Division of Defence, which seems more and more reluctant to pledge cash or package to Ukraine — even the issues Australia would not want, like Taipan helicopters,” co-chair Stefan Romaniw mentioned.
He mentioned when it got here to help for Ukraine, Australia was final among the many developed G20 nations.
“Now could be the time to be daring, to double down, and to behave shortly. Assist Ukrainians maintain the road. Defending democracy isn’t straightforward, quick or low-cost. However it’s the proper factor to do.”
The federal Opposition additionally mentioned the federal government ought to go additional, calling for it to approve a request for coal shipments to shore up Ukraine’s vitality grid.
It additionally urged the federal government to offer any elements of — which officers beforehand dominated out resulting from security considerations
“The Coalition strongly welcomes extra assist for Ukraine of their combat towards Russia’s unlawful and immoral invasion,” Opposition international affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie mentioned in a joint assertion.
Australia has beforehand supplied Ukraine with armoured vehicles and automobiles together with , six boats, de-mining and counter-drone techniques, and ammunition.
Throughout his abroad journey, Marles additionally visited Poland the place he met his deputy prime minister and defence counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to debate .
It has been greater than two years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the United Nations confirming at the very least 10,242 civilians have been killed and greater than 19,300 injured.