Kyiv ‘needs to wait’ for fresh support, says Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese has pushed back at Ukraine’s suggestion his government is preparing to unveil fresh support for Ukraine but not until next month.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky greets Anthony Albanese ahead of their meeting in Kyiv last July. Picture: Ukrainian Presidency via ABACAPRESS.COM.

Anthony Albanese has pushed back at Ukraine’s suggestion his government is preparing to unveil fresh support for Ukraine next month, saying announcements would be made “when they’re ready to be made”.

“My governments is a considered, adult government,” the Prime Minister told reporters on Saturday during a visit to Vietnam.

“I can confirm that we make the announcements when they are ready, when they’ve been considered by all of our processes, including our cabinet.”

The comments followed a tweet by Ukraine’s Defence Oleksii Reznikov after a meeting with Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Singapore, declaring: “Another package of security assistance will be announced by the (Australian) government in July.”

The tweet came amid speculation that Mr Albanese will announce fresh support for Kyiv when he attends the July 11-12 NATO conference in Lithuania.

As Ukraine pushes its Western partners to supply F-16 fighter jets to gain the upper hand against Russia, Mr Reznikov said he had asked Australia to consider training Ukrainian pilots.

He said the country was also hoping for Australia to provide medical evacuation vehicles and electronic warfare weapons to bring down enemy drones.

Had a meaningful meeting with the Hon. Richard Marles @RichardMarlesMP, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence.

We discussed Ukraine’s priorities for strengthening defense capabilities. Another package of security assistance will be announced by the 🇦🇺… pic.twitter.com/Ftw4fVlrEH

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) June 2, 2023

Mr Albanese, who also met with Mr Reznikov at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, said Australia would continue to monitor the situation “and to deliver what we can when we can”.

The Prime Minister asserted, erroneously, Australia was the largest non-NATO contributor of assistance. Support from Japan and Sweden surpassed Australia’s long ago.

Mr Albanese said Australia would continue to deliver promised Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles to Ukraine, after revelations in senate estimates this week that not all of the pledged 90 vehicles had arrived in the country.

But he was tight lipped on the prospect of Australia donating new Hawkei protected mobility vehicles to the country’s war effort.

Mr Marles said it was “an honour” to meet Mr Reznikov in person.

“Australia condemns Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion Ukraine,” he tweeted.

“We continue to work with our partners to empower Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its own terms. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

We continue to work with our partners to empower Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its own terms. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/aFSYg2U6Ct

— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) June 2, 2023

Their meeting follows a concerted campaign by Kyiv for Australia to donate up to 90 Hawkeis, which it wants to use as mobile anti-aircraft platforms.

You have heard it from us.
Now hear it from @TvorchiBand:
Free the Hawkei! pic.twitter.com/9t1L4PnzT4

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 15, 2023

Defence officials told Senate Estimates during the week that Australia would be unable to sustain the vehicles because of a shortage of spare parts.

They also highlighted an anti-lock braking fault that does not affect the vehicles’ off-road performance.