Billionaire Andrew Forrest gives $30m to Ukraine aid

Australian rich-lister Andrew Forrest has increased aid to Ukraine and has called for greater international investment in the war-torn nation for rebuilding efforts.

Mark Dunn

less than 2 min read

July 13, 2025 - 2:14PM

Victoria

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Australian businessman Andrew Forrest has increased assistance to Ukraine to $30m and has called for greater international investment in the war-torn nation for rebuilding efforts.

“Is this really our battle? Yes, it is. Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine because a fair go is in our DNA and Ukraine has been treated with breathtaking injustice,” Dr Forrest said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

In announcing a $7.6m grant for de-mining works in Ukraine to help rehabilitate agricultural areas and communities, Dr Forrest said practical investment was needed for scalable de-mining funds.

Clearing unexploded ordnance was critical for Ukraine’s recovery, with more than 25 per cent of the nation’s productive land assessed as contaminated, he said, adding de-mining could unlock $15bn in annual agricultural output, protect the livelihoods of millions and help restore Ukraine’s economic strength.

Fortescue Metals Group non-executive Chairman, Andrew Forrest. Picture: Adrian Dennis.

“Europe is muscling up to empower Ukraine’s victory. It’s time for all of us, governments, business, foundations to do the same.

“This is not charity, this is a vote of confidence in Ukraine’s future. Ukraine is totally investable. Its people are investable.”

Dr Forrest’s support for Ukraine through his Minderoo Foundation has now surpassed $30m, with funds also directed for climate-resilient technology and training to boost farm production to help Ukraine remain a major grain exporter to food-insecure nations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

“While everyone talks about critical minerals and rare earths and as one of the world’s biggest miners, I assure you there’s nothing rare about rare earths, it’s food we could run out of. Ukraine’s strategic advantage as a food bowl must be protected.

“Drone attacks keep threatening farmers. Fields are contaminated. Rural communities are displaced,” Dr Forrest said. “Yet this brave nation keeps growing its economy maintaining 5 per cent growth even under attack, outstripping Russia.”