Russia-Ukraine war: Australia reveals new $100 million military aid package

Australia’s pledge of $100m aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia has divided readers. See what they said, have your say.

Australians are divided after Defence Minister Richard Marles pledged a $100 million package to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

Visiting the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on the weekend, Mr Marles promised the latest $100 million package was “just the next tranche” of support and by “no means the end” as he declared Ukraine’s armed forces were fighting for Australia’s national interest on the battlefield.

But everyday Australians are questioning whether the money would have been better spent in our own backyard.

“Marles will “stand with Ukraine”, others are standing with Palestinians, others with Israel, others with Taiwan. Is there even one politician with focussed (sic) intent, let alone capability, to stand by Australians?,” wrote Roibvert.

Similarly, Revilo questioned accountability: “This is the biggest money laundering scheme the world has ever seen. Billions wasted with no accountability of were the money went. We have bee (n) taken for fools by the socialist governments of the world.”

Margaret was sceptical Australia would receive the same support if in the same situation: “Why can’t Ukraine fund itself? Where are the billions of dollars already given? I’m sure if we were in trouble Ukraine would not come to aid us.”

Anne said the money could be better spent addressing Australia’s health system: “Stop giving away money to overseas countries we need to stop the bleeding here in the hospital system which is broken”.

Defence Minister Richard Marles tours Ukraine’s National Army Academy in Lviv with Lieutenant General Pavlo Tkachuk. Picture: Ben Lewis

Likewise, Matt said: “I wouldn’t have an issue with this except Marles and Albo are defunding our own military and then funds another country”.

Beau said the money should be going into addressing Australia’s housing and youth crime issues: “$100,000,00 could be spent helping out families who are struggling to put a roof over their heads or even tackle youth crime. Fix your own backyard before you try and fix others Albo”.

But others stood by Mr Marles’ comments that the aid package was in Australia’s national interest.

“Ukraine are indeed fighting for Australia’s national interests. Nothing good will come from Russia prevailing over Ukraine, just a lot of bad. Anyone suggesting that Ukraine should be left to fend for themselves is misguided, or a Putin plant,” said Img.

John said Australia should go further by sending troops on the ground: “Why???? What about doing something in your own backyard? They always say they can’t. If governments were serious about the war, they would really do something about it eg send troops, send fighter planes. Basically anything to stop it. But they send money plus other things…and say to Ukraine to do it yourself. Mmmmmmm something smells fishy here.”

Sparrownawk saw economic advantage in the move: “Money well spent, it is mostly Australian-made weaponry that is being sent which means employment for Aussies and hopefully victory for Ukraine soon.”

Bruce said it’s the least we can do to de-escalate a wider war: “Ukaraine (sic) have a right to defend themselves and are asking for help and this the best we can do without starting a broader war”.

The deputy prime minister’s visit coincided with another fierce round of Russian airstrikes on Saturday, as missiles pounded power facilities in central and western Ukraine on Saturday, increasing pressure on the ailing energy system as the country faces a shortage of air defences despite a breakthrough in US military aid.

The airstrikes, carried out with ballistic and cruise missiles fired by Russian strategic bombers based in the Arctic Circle, was the fourth large-scale aerial assault targeting the power system since March 22.

Rescuers battled to put out fires at several energy facilities in the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, which border NATO members Poland and Romania, officials said.

Touring a secret cutting-edge weapons facility and later visiting Ukraine’s National Army Academy, Marles said Ukraine must prevail in its fight for “the future of global peace and security”.

“This is an enduring conflict,” he said. “We will stand with Ukraine for the long term, until Ukraine is able to resolve this war on its terms.

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the unit of the mobile air defence group shoot down enemy drones using the ZU-23-2 Soviet 23-mm twin anti-aircraft gun on April 16. Picture: Getty

“We really understand that while Ukraine is here fighting for its sovereignty and for its nation, it is also fighting for the maintenance of the global rules-based order and in that sense, it’s fighting for us.”

But in a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Australian delegation was reminded of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s much-maligned decision not to reopen its embassy in the nation’s capital, with Shmyhal telling Ambassador Paul Lehmann: “I hope to see you in Kyiv more often”.

Lehmann, who is based in Warsaw because of what the department says are health and safety issues, met with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky during the week to present his credentials. He told the prime minister he hoped to be in Kyiv as often as he could be.

In a press conference, Shmyhal thanked Marles for Australia’s ongoing support, including the latest funding package which included $50 million will fund short-range air defence systems and another $15 million on equipment including helmets, inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and electricity generators.

He said Ukrainians appreciated the ongoing solidarity of the Australian people.

“Although we are situated in different parts of the planet, we have shared values and shared priorities,” he said. “Together we are doing one thing: we are fighting for global security, for just peace and for a better future for the whole of mankind.

Shmyhal said that during the talks, an agreement was reached on several issues of co-operation between the countries, in particular, the development and signing of a double taxation agreement and Australia’s participation in the peace summit in Switzerland.

“We shall never forget real friendship and support,” he said. “We will be together until we achieve victory. And after the victory we will be together rebuilding Ukraine. And we will do everything we can to ensure the force of law prevails over the law of force.”

Marles, who is the first senior Australian political figure to visit Ukraine since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in June 2022, said reopening the embassy was “a matter which is under active consideration”.

“We’ll continue to work that through, but the focus is on making sure that we are providing Ukraine with the military support that they need,” he said.

“I think the point I want to emphasise is that as we work through those issues, that is not stopping us from engaging with Ukraine.”