Ukraine asks Australia to provide additional military support, including Bushmaster armored vehicles.
This is announced in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
According to the statement, on December 18, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the first bilateral visit of an Australian Foreign Minister to Ukraine in ten years. She and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held detailed negotiations, the key topic of which was additional support for Ukraine from Australia.
"The Minister informed his colleague about the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army and requested additional military support, including Australian Bushmaster armored vehicles and other weapons. Andrii Sybiha also proposed to take into account Ukraine's needs when decommissioning military equipment in service with the Australian Defense Forces," the statement says.
Sybiha expressed gratitude for Australia's military assistance, including the recent delivery of 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats. He noted that the total amount of Australian assistance amounted to more than USD 1 billion, of which USD 880 million is military assistance.
The Foreign Ministry notes that Sybiha and Wong paid significant attention to the threats associated with the deepening cooperation between russia and North Korea.
"Support for Ukraine is in Australia's direct interests, as it strengthens stability not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific region. We must increase pressure on the aggressor state and increase the cost of war for the Kremlin," Sybiha stressed.
He also welcomed Australia's decision to transfer EUR 50 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as to contribute USD 6.39 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.
During the press conference, Wong promised to submit Ukraine's request for consideration by the government.
"I have heard the request from colleagues for additional assistance, and of course I will pass this request on to the Australian government for consideration," she said.
Wong noted that in July, Australia announced a USD 250 million military support package for Ukraine, which includes air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, artillery ammunition and combat boots.
In addition, Australia previously announced USD 30 million for drones for Ukraine, USD 15 million to strengthen air defense and provide 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Australia decided to restore full operation of the embassy in Ukraine.
In October, Australia decided to transfer 49 American-made M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the service life of which in the Australian army should soon end.
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