Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged additional navy assist to Ukraine, together with armored automobiles and drones, at a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday.
Albanese made the first-ever go to to Ukraine by an Australian prime minister, telling a information convention in Kyiv his nation would give Ukraine “100 million dollars in navy assist,” with out specifying whether or not he meant Australian dollars.
This determine in Australian dollars would add as much as US$68 million.
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The Prime Minister specified that Australia will present extra navy gear requested by Ukraine, together with 14 armored personnel carriers, 20 Bushmaster armored automobiles and various drones.
Zelenskyi stated that Australia is offering Ukraine with “important help, notably protection assist” and that the Ukrainian armed forces “respect the Bushmaster automobile”.
Albanese visited the cities of Bucha and Irpin, the place Russian forces are stated to have dedicated warfare crimes, and Gostomel airport northwest of Kyiv.
“It’s my nice honor to be the primary Australian Prime Minister to go to Ukraine,” he stated, including that his journey “would very clearly present the world the solidarity that exists between the Australian and Ukrainian folks.” .
He paid tribute to the “braveness, resilience, bravery and dedication” of Ukraine’s president, protection forces and other people, saying they’re “decided to face up with out provocation or apology in opposition to a bully who violates worldwide regulation.”
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The Australian politician additionally stated Russian President Vladimir Putin would get the “reception he deserves” when he attends a G20 summit in Bali in November, because the Kremlin has advised.
“If it’s so that Mr Putin attends this assembly… he’ll get the welcome he deserves, which isn’t that of a pal, from somebody who respects the worldwide rule of regulation,” the Australian Prime Minister stated.
On the similar time, he stated he could not think about Australia boycotting the occasion whereas “we imagine in isolating Russia as a lot as potential”.
Albanese arrived in Ukraine after assembly French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.
Ukraine introduced final month that an Australian had died preventing for the Worldwide Protection Legion of Ukraine, an official volunteer brigade.