Australia and Ukraine sign security agreement as Canberra pledges A$60 million in new aid
Australia and Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement on Sept. 24, with Canberra announcing an additional A$60 million in military, energy and humanitarian support for Kyiv.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bilateral security agreement aimed at expanding long-term defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
The Australian government also announced an additional A$60 million in support for Ukraine, including A$45 million worth of Australian Defence Force equipment, A$10 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and A$5 million in humanitarian assistance.
The new package brings Australia's total contribution to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion to almost A$1.9 billion.
Australia will also join the UK- and Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which supports the development of the Ukrainian Navy.
Canberra said cooperation with Ukraine would also allow Australia to draw on Ukraine's battlefield experience and defense innovation to strengthen its own military capabilities.
Zelenskyy said the two countries had also agreed to begin preparing a separate “Drone Deal.” He said Ukraine was ready to share its experience and technologies in areas including maritime drones, ground robotic systems and artificial intelligence.
Australia also announced a new package of sanctions against Russia. The government said it has now imposed almost 1,900 sanctions targeting Russia and its supporters and listed nearly 300 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet.