Anthony Albanese signs security agreement to increase aid to Ukraine after meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky
An emotional Anthony Albanese has signed a security agreement with Ukraine following a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN.
Australia will provide $60 million more in support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion as part of a fresh security agreement.
Anthony Albanese met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Australian time.
The 10-year bilateral security agreement, signed by both leaders, will lead to an extra $45 million in Australian Defence Force equipment for Ukraine.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A further $10 million will go to Ukraine’s energy support fund, while $5 million will be spent on humanitarian assistance.
The $60 million fund will bring Australia’s total contribution to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022 to $1.9 billion.
The Prime Minister said the agreement was a proud day for Australians in seeking to uphold international laws.
“This is an issue not just for Europe, this is an issue for the world,” Mr Albanese told reporters in New York upon signing the agreement.
“If a large, more powerful country in Russia is allowed to profit from breaking the international rules of law with its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, then that sets a bad precedent for the entire world.”
Mr Albanese said the bilateral agreement would be in place not only during the war in Ukraine, but during peacetime once the conflict concludes.
The Prime Minister became emotional as he paid tribute to his “friend” Mr Zelensky in his fight against Russian aggression.
“(Mr Zelensky’s) leadership has been, I think, quite extraordinary, leading people in circumstances which are extraordinarily difficult,” he said.
“Russia thought it could just steamroll through in a matter of weeks, and what we have found is that the people of Ukraine were underestimated.”
The two leaders hugged when they first met in-person at the summit, with Mr Zelensky thanking Australia for its support to Ukraine throughout the conflict.
“(The agreement is) the strongest document between our countries,” he told reporters.
“We really will increase our co-production and trade and, of course, security, which is really important.
“It’s all for our people, for the security.”
As part of the agreement, Australia will also step up training to help Ukrainian forces deter and repel any future Russian attacks.
It will also look to explore co-operation for training centres and jointly produce air-defence measures, missiles and drones.
Australia will join forces with the United Kingdom and Norway-led coalition to help support the development of Ukraine’s navy.
Work will be carried out to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capability.
Australia and Ukraine will also work together to rebuilding infrastructure such as military healthcare facilities and training centres.
Extra sanctions have also been imposed on Russia, coinciding with the announcement of the agreement.
It brings the total sanctions placed on Russia and its supporters by the federal government to more than 1900.
