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Posted: 2024-07-11 13:00:28

In short:

Australia is promising $250 million worth of military aid for Ukraine, the largest single package it has provided for the country's defence against Russia to date.

Some Australian defence personnel, who are already working in Europe, will be transferred to a new NATO security and training program for Ukraine.

What's next?

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will announce further details in Washington, where he and other Asia-Pacific leaders are set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during this week's NATO summit.

The Australian government is set to give Ukraine another $250 million in military support — its largest contribution to the war effort since Russia invaded.

Australia will also provide "a small number" of personnel for a new NATO command for Ukraine, which will comprise 700 people to deliver training and security assistance.

Bolstering support for Ukraine is the dominant theme at this week's NATO summit in Washington DC, which is taking place against a backdrop of a turbulent week in American politics.

But Australia and other non-member partners from the Asia-Pacific region are in attendance to strengthen ties with the alliance amid fears about Chinese aggression and Beijing's relationship with Moscow. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who visited Ukraine in April, is set to announce the new support for the country at the summit on Thursday, local time.

He is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the event, along with the prime ministers of New Zealand and Japan, and the president of South Korea.

"When we witnessed, a few years ago, a no-limits agreement being signed between China and Russia on the eve of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine … the events of eastern Europe became fundamentally important to us," Mr Marles said at a meeting of the Asia-Pacific leaders.

Russia's attacks on Ukraine in recent days have included the bombing of the main children's hospital in Kyiv, which killed dozens of people.

NATO allies have agreed to provide Ukraine with military support of at least 40 billion euros ($64 billion) over the next year, according to a 38-point summit declaration released on Wednesday, local time.

The Australian military package includes guided and air defence missiles, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and a shipment of boots. It brings the value of Australia's overall support to $1.3 billion, including $1.1 billion for Ukraine's military, the government says.

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