Australia Pledges Another $100 Million to Ukraine

Members of the Australian-Ukrainian community carry a Ukrainian flag during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Sydney on Feb. 26, 2022. (Steven SAPHORE/AFP via Getty Images)

Following Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ visit to Ukraine, Australia has pledged $100 million (US$65 million) to the war-torn nation.

In a joint press conference in Lviv Ukraine, Mr. Marles said that when Russia first crossed over into the Ukrainian border most commentators thought that the conflict would be over in three weeks.

“Now, more than two years on, the whole world has been inspired by Ukraine’s brave resistance,” Mr. Marles said.

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine which is why we have announced a new $100m military support package providing short range air defence systems, drones and other equipment,” he said.

This commitment will bring Australia’s total contributions to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion to over $1 billion (US$650 million), including around $880 million of military aid.

Mr. Marles said this was certainly not the end of Australia’s aid to Ukraine, pledging the nation’s enduring support.

What Australia Is Pledging

Ukraine will receive $50 million for short-range air defence systems, $30 million for unmanned drones, and $15 million for “high priority” equipment. High-priority equipment includes combat helmets, inflatable boats, boots, fire masks, and generators.

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Australia is also giving Ukraine air-to-ground precision munitions (pdf), which are weapons, dropped or fired from an aircraft, that are equipped with a guidance system intended to strike a target with high accuracy.

Previously, Australia has supplied Ukraine with 120 Bushmasters, six boats, de-mining and counter-drone systems, and ammunition.

A Ukrainian serviceman fires at a military drone during night combat against Russia-backed separatists on the front line near Novolugansk in the Donetsk region on Nov. 14, 2019.  (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)

Ministerial Trip to Lviv

During a one-day trip to Lviv—located in far west Ukraine, close to the Polish border—Mr. Marles, who is also the defence minister, met with Ukrainian officials and visited defence sites around the city.

Mr. Marles met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Havryliuk and visited the National Army Academy. At the academy, he laid a wreath to commemorate the graduates who had been killed and met the next generation of Ukrainian army leaders.

Mr. Marles told Lviv reporters on Saturday that visiting the country in person was important to show support.

“It’s really important that the world doesn’t forget Ukraine, it matters that people are coming here and that people and countries are continuing to provide support,” he said.

“So that’s why we felt it was very important, on this occasion, not just to announce a tranche of support but to announce it here in Ukraine.”

Minister Marles also visited Poland, meeting with deputy prime minister and defence counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to discuss the Ukrainian-Russian conflict and its global impact.

Ukrainian Response

In the joint press conference with Lviv, Mr. Shmyhal thanked Australia and the minister for his visit.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people and government of Australia for a clear and consistent position on Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemning Russian aggression,” he said.

“I am grateful for Australia for the comprehensive help it has been providing since the beginning of the full scale invasion.”

In an address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Australia.

“I want to thank Australia for announcing a new support package for our country and people.” he said. “It is a military support that will strengthen our air defense, also drones and military equipment.”

A Ukrainian flag flies at a makeshift memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin dedicated to Ukrainian victims of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on April 21, 2024. (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)

It has been over two years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The United Nations states that at least 10,810 civilians have been killed in the conflict, including 600 children, and at least 20,556 civilians have been injured, including 1,357 children.

Coalition Response

Australia’s opposition welcomed the announcement but called for the minister to offer further support and approve a request for coal shipments to support Ukraine’s energy grid.

The opposition also once again called for Australia to provide Ukraine with a portion of the nation’s retired Taipan helicopter fleet, which was ruled out for safety concerns, and Abrams tanks, which are due to be retired.

In a joint statement, opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition supports the pledge.

“The coalition strongly welcomes additional support for Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” they said.