Bushmasters have become the most popular Australian brand in Ukraine as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commits an additional 30 vehicles to the fight against Russia’s invasion.
But Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has flagged support with energy infrastructure will be crucial to help his nation through the coming winter months.
Mr Albanese met with Mr Kuleba in Pnomh Penh on the sidelines of the East Asia summit.
The prime minister said after discussions with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Australia would commit a further 30 bushmasters, taking the total to 90.
“We’re very proud that this is making a substantial difference to the defence of your people … be assured of Australia’s ongoing support and our admiration for your struggle,” Mr Albanese said.
Australia has also sent 70 Australian Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to provide training assistance to Ukrainian soldiers.
Mr Kuleba told the prime minister the armoured vehicles have become a symbol of Australia’s political and economic support to his nation.
“Bushmasters became the most popular Australian brand in Ukraine,” he said.
“Ukraine will always remember this support that the people in Australia extended to us.
“We will definitely prevail and when victory comes, it will be our joint success.”
But as Ukraine enters its winter months, Mr Kuleba asked Australia and other nations present at the summit for help with energy needs.
He said radiators in apartments are cold and buildings are experiencing long blackouts because of Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure.
“Transformers, generators, spare parts for the electricity grid. These are very technical things and they are all of humanitarian purpose,” he said.
“This is humanitarian aid, they have nothing to do with military aid.”
Mr Albanese told Mr Kuleba he would take the request to his government to consider how Australia could support Ukraine further.
Global instability, energy shortages and inflation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are key issues for Mr Albanese as he embarks on his nine-day overseas trip.
© AAP 2022
