As Ukrainians mark 500 days of fending off the Russian invasion, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing for security talks in Europe.
The prime minister will start his visit in the German capital Berlin, where he will meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on July 10.
The leaders are expected to discuss the Ukraine war as well as economic and business issues such as modern manufacturing and clean energy.
Australia’s pitch for a free trade agreement with the European Union is also likely to feature.
Albanese will then head to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where he and the leaders of New Zealand, Japan and South Korea have been invited to share their views on regional and global security, badged as the “Indo-Pacific Four.”
NATO said in a statement relations with like-minded partners across the globe are increasingly important “to address cross-cutting security issues and global challenges, as well as to defend the rules-based international order.”
The prime minister is expected to meet with a number of European leaders as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
July 8 marks 500 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the people of Ukraine had shown “immeasurable strength and bravery to protect their home, their culture and their people.”
In a joint statement with opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie and foreign affairs spokesman James Paterson, Dutton said it was also a day to reflect on the grief shared with Ukraine for the fatalities and casualties caused by Russia’s brutal actions.
The toll stands at more than 9083 civilian deaths, and more than 15,779 injuries.
The federal opposition has described Australia’s latest support package as falling a long way short of Ukraine’s requests for additional military capability including Bushmasters, Hawkeis, Abrams tanks and de-mining equipment.
“We again offer our bipartisan support for additional Australian military, humanitarian, financial and energy support for Ukraine, and again call on the Albanese government to reinstate the Australian embassy and Australian ambassador in Kyiv, alongside the at-least 67 diplomatic missions which have already returned.”
Australia announced a further $110 million (US$73 million) in support just over a week ago, bringing total assistance to $790 million (US$525 million).
