Australia to provide $100 million in funding and supplies to Ukraine

Defence Minister Richard Marles met with Ukraine’s prime minister during a visit to Kyiv. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Defence Minister Richard Marles has unveiled another $100 million in Australian funding and supplies for Ukraine, as Kyiv pleads for greater international support in its resistance against Russian forces.

$50 million will fund short-range air defence systems, while $30 million is being spent on drones for the Ukrainian military and another $15 million on equipment including helmets, inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and electricity generators.

Mr Marles made the announcement during a quick visit to Ukraine, where he met with the country’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyal and Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Havryliuk.

“Ukraine and its people have endured more than two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion but their spirit remains strong,” Mr Marles said in a statement.

He said the latest package took Australian military assistance for Ukraine to $880 million since Russia began its illegal invasion of the country in 2022.

Among the equipment Australia has given Ukraine are 120 Bushmaster armoured vehicles and six Howitzer artillery guns.

Australian troops have also been crucial to training Ukrainian soldiers in the United Kingdom, as part of Operation Kudu.

The latest commitment came as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded with his country’s allies to bolster their support for his besieged military.

In recent days, the United States Congress signed off on an aid package worth $US95 billion ($145 billion) for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, including $US13.8 billion for Kyiv to buy weapons.

Mr Zelenskyy said he needed at least seven Patriot surface to air missile systems to protect Ukrainian cities.

“We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” he said.

“This is what can and should save lives right now.”

His appeal came after a Russian missile attack pounded power facilities in the centre and west of Ukraine on Saturday.

“Terror should always lose, and anyone who helps us stand against Russian terror is a true defender of life,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

Mr Marles has also held meetings with his Polish counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz while in Europe.

“We are very committed to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, but we have also become much more illuminated about what is occurring in Europe,” Mr Marles told reporters in Warsaw.

“And in that sense, the relationship with Poland is put into sharp relief and we see that there is an enormous opportunity for our two countries to work together.”

A Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail surveillance plane which had been deployed to Europe to help Ukraine recently returned to Australia.

ABC/AP/Reuters