Australia has officially reopened its embassy in Ukraine during Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s historic visit to Kyiv — the first by an Australian foreign minister in a decade. Wong met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, to discuss Australia’s ongoing support for Ukraine amid the war with Russia.
- Australia has provided over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine, with $880 million allocated for military support. This includes the delivery of 49 Abrams tanks, 14 boats, and previously supplied JDAM-ER cruise missiles. Sybiha requested additional military aid, including Bushmaster armoured vehicles and other weapons, suggesting that Australia’s decommissioned military equipment could also be sent to Ukraine.
- Australia has allocated €50 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and $6.39 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine.
- Sybiha emphasised that supporting Ukraine strengthens stability not only in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with Australia’s strategic interests.
The Ukrainian minister invited Australia to participate in next year’s Conference on Ukraine’s Recovery in Italy, encouraging Australian companies to engage in reconstruction projects.
Wong’s visit also included discussions on countering the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea, underlining the broader geopolitical implications of the war in Ukraine.
This visit reaffirms Australia’s strong stance against Russian aggression and its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty.