Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Russia's "illegal" and "immoral" invasion of Ukraine was the focus of the NATO Summit as he reaffirmed Australia's support for the people of Ukraine.
His comments came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit in Lithuania.
"I've met with President Zelenskyy and confirmed Australia's support for the people of Ukraine in their struggle to uphold their national sovereignty, to uphold the international rule of law," the PM said during a press conference on Wednesday.
"It's been a big theme of the NATO Summit here, and NATO partners all spoke about how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal, it's immoral, it's having an impact on the people of Ukraine, but it's also having an impact on the global rules based order and on the global economy through issues such as rising inflation and also food security."
Australia announced it will send 30 more highly coveted Bushmaster armoured vehicles to Ukraine to aid the nation's defence against Russia's illegal invasion.
The latest donation brings the number of the armoured vehicles gifted by Australia to the European nation up to 120.
"The Bushmasters that have been provided, a proud Australian product produced in Bendigo, which has made a difference for Australian Defence personnel in the past and is now making a contribution to keeping Ukrainian soldiers safe," Albanese said.
The Australian Prime Minister said the country would continue to support Ukraine "for as long as is needed" as he praised the actor-turned-politician.
"I thank President Zelenskyy, for frankly being such an inspiration as he has been to the world, as are the Ukrainian people in standing up for their national sovereignty and standing up for their right to exist as a democracy behind secure borders," he said.
Bushmasters have been frequently used by Ukrainian forces, a fact highlighted by Foreign Minister Penny Wong as the embattled nation continues its counteroffensive.
"Australian Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and our additional contribution of 30 vehicles will bolster Ukraine's capabilities," she said.
"We are providing sustainable and meaningful support to Ukraine, including through our humanitarian assistance and through our diplomacy.
"Russia's attack on Ukraine is an attack on us all. It is an assertion that a larger country is entitled to subjugate a smaller neighbour.
"We again call on Russia to cease its illegal, immoral war on Ukraine."
Zelenskyy thanked Albanese for the support package, which brings Australia's total support to Ukraine since the start of the war up to $890 million.
However, as the Ukrainian President welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia's invasion on Wednesday, he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.
A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term.
Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.
"The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children," he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.
Biden said, "Our support will last long into the future. We're going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defence."
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It was a marked shift in tone from Zelenskyy's complaints a day earlier that it was "unprecedented and absurd" to avoid setting a timeline for Ukraine to join NATO.
On the final day of NATO's summit, the alliance launched a new forum for deepening ties with Ukraine: the NATO-Ukraine Council. It's intended to serve as a permanent body where the alliance's 31 members and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.
The setting is part of NATO's effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it.
Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the US and other nations into direct fighting with Russia if Ukraine was admitted while the Kremlin's invasion was ongoing.
– Reported with Associated Press
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