Australia will commit $70 million in defence support - including missiles and ammunition - to Ukraine to help arm the country's outgunned military against Russia's invasion.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrive at a press conference after a National Security Committee meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.Australia will commit $70 million in defence support - including missiles and ammunition - to Ukraine to help arm the country's outgunned military against Russia's invasion.
Ukraine's resistance to Moscow's invasion has shown resilience as residential areas have continued to face bombardment from Russian artillery. "President Zelenskyy said 'don't give me a ride, give me ammunition" and that is exactly what the Australian government has agreed to do," he said.New images appear to show Russian convoy advancing on Kyiv as Ukraine calls for no-fly zone
The extension of support to lethal weaponry marks a significant step up to more than $4 million already committed to non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies.The United Nations has said more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since the start of Russia's invasion.
"We are preparing options to support the broader humanitarian effort to have programs like we had for the Kosovar some years ago," he said.