The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations thanks Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday in New York and signing the Australia–Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement.
This 10-year agreement will set a long-term framework for military, defence-industry, intelligence and security cooperation between our two nations. We trust it will build a genuine two-way partnership, with Ukraine’s battle-tested expertise and innovative defence sector offering valuable lessons for Australia.
The agreement also covers vital non-military support, including helping return Ukrainian children abducted by russia, rehabilitating and reintegrating veterans, demining, economic recovery and reconstruction, ensuring legal accountability for russia’s crimes 
, countering russian propaganda, and attracting private investment.
Alongside this, we are pleased that Australia will join the UK and Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition to support the development of Ukraine’s Navy 
and continue to support important international initiatives such as Operation Interflex (training for defenders), the Drone Capability Coalition and PURL (funding critical military equipment for Ukraine).
We’re also grateful for the new $60 million support package:
$45 million in ADF equipment
$10 million for Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund
$5 million in humanitarian assistance
Plus new sanctions on russia
We were moved by the Prime Minister’s words, paying tribute to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, “who are inspiring the world with their bravery, with their courage, with their commitment to defend their sovereign nation.”
The Prime Minister made clear that russia’s war is not just an issue for Europe, but for the world, and that Australia’s commitment is unshakeable: “Australia proudly stands with Ukraine… we have not wavered, and we will not waver.”
Thank you, Prime Minister, and thank you Richard Marles MP, Deputy PM & Defence Minister, and Penny Wong – Senator for SA, Foreign Affairs Minister, for your support. Слава Україні! 
Image: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy official website
