Defence Minister announces latest funding commitment to Ukraine

Richard Miles in Ukraine to make a pledge of continued Australian support. We cannot afford to see Ukraine fail. The maintenance of the global rules based order is what’s at stake. The defence Minister announcing another $100 million towards keys fight against Russia Ukraine to receive Australia’s soon to be replaced short range anti air missile system as well as munitions. It goes some small way to making up for our failure to provide Ukraine with some helicopters that we decided to bury $30 million will go towards drones. One of the defining features of this modern war We’re seeing an evolution of drone warfare in this conflict, the likes of which people would not have imagined 2 years ago. Grinding into its third year, the war’s already taken the lives of more than 10 1/2 thousand Ukrainian civilians and at least 31,000 troops. Russia’s toll a lot higher. Stand up and support Ukraine, not just for the moment, but for the long term. Australia’s contribution to Ukraine now tops a billion dollars in military and humanitarian assistance. But it is clear that Ukraine will need a lot more from its allies to withstand Vladimir Putin’s aggression. Australia will remain with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to prevail in this war on its terms. We are grateful to our Australian friends and partners for this powerful contribution to Ukraine resilience and victory. Australia is yet to reopen its embassy, a point gently made by the Ukrainian PM. And I would more often, yes, there’s military risk, but we send our diplomats into some pretty risky situations. So let’s reopen the embassy and do it now.