Australia vows to support Ukraine until war ends – and only on Kyiv’s terms

Lviv: Defence Minister Richard Marles says the Australian government is prepared to send more military equipment and financial support to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia until the war ends on Kyiv’s terms.

Visiting the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, 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.

Defence Minister Richard Marles (left) and Australian Army chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart at a ceremony for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv on Saturday. Credit: Department of Defence

The deputy prime minister’s visit – the first by a member of the Albanese government for almost two years – coincided with another fierce round of Russian airstrikes, 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, marked 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.

Ukraine has asked for new deliveries of air defence systems and missiles to protect its cities against missile attacks as well as troops on the frontline.

Marles visited a secret military location which is training troops in innovative new weapons equipment. Credit: Department of Defence

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.”

Marles hit back at suggestions Australia wasn’t doing enough to support the war-torn eastern European country. Those have grown louder after the government decided not to make available decommissioned army helicopters or Hawkei armoured vehicles, despite Ukraine’s requests.

“There is an enormous sense of gratitude for the role that Australia is playing, the role that we’re playing as a country, which is literally on the other side of the planet,” Marles said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reminded the Australian delegation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s much-maligned decision not to reopen its embassy in the nation’s capital. “I hope to see you in Kyiv more often,” Shmyhal told new ambassador Paul Lehmann.

Lehmann, who is based in Warsaw because of what the department says are health and safety issues, met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to present his credentials last week. He told Shmyhal 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 to fund short-range air defence systems and another $15 million for equipment including helmets, inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and electricity generators.

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

Marles and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Lviv.Credit: Department of Defence

“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 consensus 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. “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.

While the federal opposition welcomed the decision to provide more aid, it said the Albanese government needed to give faster, more comprehensive and long-term support for Ukraine that supplements, rather than detracts, from investment in Australian defence.

“There are crucial elements of this commitment to be confirmed by the government, including the source and timing of the new commitments being made,” said a joint statement from foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie.

They said Australia should still commit any elements of the retired Taipan helicopter fleet that could still support any aspects of Ukraine’s defence, and provide soon-to-be retired Abrams tanks.

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