$110 million aid from Australia and New Zealand to support Ukraine

According to Isna, Australia’s military financial support includes a $50 million contribution to Ukraine’s list of priority requirements, which will simplify the purchase of defense equipment from the United States.

The Australian Defense Force will also donate $43 million worth of equipment and weapons, including tactical air defense radars, ammunition and combat engineering equipment. An additional $2 million will be provided to help Ukraine with advanced drone technologies, which Matthew Sussex, a Russia expert at the Australian National University’s Center for European Studies, described as a “strong package” overall.

Professor Sussex told Australia’s Associated Press: “This is a good sign that the government is committed to more than rhetoric on European security issues … and to help those who are caught trying to disrupt the rule of law.”

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said Canberra was unwavering in its support for Ukraine. “These commitments will make a tangible difference in defending Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and immoral aggression,” he said.

He did not rule out the possibility of Australian troops helping to facilitate a transition of power in the event of a ceasefire, saying a peace deal would need to be reached before determining how. Australia’s defense minister told ABC News: “We have made it clear that we will be part of a coalition of volunteer nations and in whatever way our support is needed … we will be there.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand government is providing $15 million to the US-NATO initiative to provide arms and equipment to Ukraine, specifically for a prioritized list of Ukrainian requirements.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins announced this decision and called it a significant contribution to support the defense of Ukraine.

“The defense of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of Europe, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” Peters said.

The money will only be used for weapons and equipment that comply with New Zealand’s international obligations and domestic policies, a written statement said.

Collins said New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. “The challenge for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend its cities and people in the face of continuous and incessant bombing of Ukraine by Russian drones remains enormous,” he said.

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