‘As long as it takes’: Richard Marles vows ongoing support for Ukraine

Richard Marles has met Ukrainian civilians undergoing military training with 70 Australian military trainers in the UK.

Richard Marles and Penny Wong watch Australian troops train Ukrainian civilians in the UK. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay.

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has said the war in Ukraine will be protracted but that Australia will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Mr Marles met with scores of Ukrainian civilians who are currently undergoing basic infantry training and various skills with 70 Australian military trainers in a special camp in the south of England on Wednesday.

One was Olena, a 48-year-old mother of an 18-year-old daughter, who volunteered to join the Ukrainian army to help protect young people.

Fighting back tears she said having Australian trainers teach her skills in avoiding mines, how to use her weapon and first aid was “phenomenal”.

“It is such a moral boost for me to have Australians helping us,’’ she said. “This is a country on the other side of the world and they care so much, thank you.’’

Another Ukraine fighter, Ivan, from the north of Ukraine near the Belarus and Russian borders had a successful business and was enjoying a new relationship “with a girl I want to marry” when the war broke out. His girlfriend has moved to Germany, and he has shut his business to join the army.

“I had such a great life before the war, I now realise that, I can’t believe how everything has changed so quickly,’’ he said.

Ukrainian soldiers take part in a training during Richard Marles and Penny Wong’s visit. Picture: Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP.

British soldiers said the 10,000th Ukrainian will progress through the training in this current rotation. Australia’s involvement in the program, which started several weeks ago, means 10 countries are involved in providing various parts of the training. Over the past six months the training has become more intensive, expanding from three to five weeks, and involving tactics that have emerged during the war such as trench warfare drone attacks and counter drone skills. The youngest person attending the training has been 18, with the eldest being a man well into his 70s.

Mr Marles said the Ukrainians held normal jobs before the war and have been thrown into a “brutal” situation. “They have volunteered in order to defend their country and they face intense danger when they go home, the training Australians are providing will help make them safe, it will save lives and make important contribution to enable Ukraine to stay in this fight for as long as possible.

“To resolve this conflict on Ukraine terms, it is so important for the world and goes to Australian national interest,” he said.

Australian troops are helping train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK. Picture: Ben Birchall / POOL / AFP.

Mr Marles rejected suggestions Australia was dragging the chain on military aid and said the extent of Ukrainian support – through providing scores of Bushmaster armoured vehicles and the announcement this week of providing gunpowder for ammunition – was ensuring Australia maintained its own capabilities for national interests.

“Australia’s contribution is providing for Ukraine and ensuring we maintain our own capabilities in Australia for our own national purposes. It’s worth remember Australia is one of largest non-NATO contributors to the effort in Ukraine. In all meetings we have had, there isa sense of gratitude from countries in Europe and Ukraine itself for the contribution Australia is making.

“We know this is going to be prolonged conflict, we will continue to assess that to stand with Ukraine, be sure that is what we will do, and (providing) training is part of that.”

Mr Marles wasn’t drawn on whether Australia would follow the United States and contribute Abrams tanks. He said: “We will continually assess the contribution we make’’.

British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said if Australia wanted to contribute tanks “the more the merrier”, but he noted contributions from other countries meant that 300 tanks would be soon heading to Ukraine.

“At the moment we have manage to unlock nearly 300 tanks: the Leopards, Challengers and Abrams and it is definitely a matter for the Australian government (if it wants to contribute),’’ he said.