Sunday 3 July 2022 10:09 PM Anthony Albanese pledges a $100million aid package to Ukraine trends now
Australia will provide 34 additional armoured vehicles to Ukraine and prohibit Russian gold imports, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said in Kyiv.
Speaking at a press conference in Ukraine's capital alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Albanese said Australia would impose sanctions and travel bans on 16 more Russian ministers and oligarchs, bringing the total number of Russian individuals sanctioned by Australia to 843.
Albanese said Australia would give Ukraine 14 more armoured personnel carriers and 20 Bushmaster vehicles in a new $100 million assistance package.
Australia will provide 34 additional armoured vehicles to Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces more Russian santions and more military aid on his first visit to Ukraine
Albanese visited war-torn Ukraine on Sunday, the Labor leader adding a side trip on his way home from Paris.
Details of the Ukraine visit have not been officially revealed.
The trip follows an invitation in June from Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, to Mr Albanese to visit the nation's capital Kyiv.
Reuters reported that Governor Oleksiy Kuleba wrote on Telegram that Mr Albanese visited the towns of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, where Ukraine says Russia committed atrocities against civilians. Russia denies the allegations.
"Australia supports Ukraine and wants to see justice meted out for the crimes committed here," Mr Kuleba quoted Albanese as saying.
Albanese said Australia would impose sanctions and travel bans on 16 more Russian ministers and oligarchs, bringing the total number of Russian individuals sanctioned by Australia to 843
The trip follows an invitation in June from Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, to Mr Albanese to visit the nation's capital Kyiv
Australia has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and pledged $285 million of military aid including armoured personnel carriers and Bushmaster vehicles.
During his Europe visit, Mr Albanese indicated Australia would look to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Ukraine. Australian embassy staff have been working from neighbouring Poland since the Ukraine crisis began.
Mr Albanese is expected back in Australia on Tuesday.
Albanese visited war-torn Ukraine on the heels of the NATO summit to survey the horrific damage caused by Russian forces.
The Prime Minister was tailed closely by Australian and the Ukrainian security teams as he was escorted through Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, north-west of Kyiv.
Russian soldiers are accused of carrying out a long list of war crimes in the area with several bloody massacres of innocent civilians as well as systematic rapes.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured center), listens to a translator, during his visit to Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, July 3, 2022.
