As the Ukrainian people reach 500 days of defending themselves against the Russian invasion, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing for security discussions in Europe.
Albanese’s visit will commence in Berlin, where he will meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on July 10. The agenda is expected to include talks on the Ukraine conflict, as well as economic and business matters such as modern manufacturing and clean energy. The possibility of a free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union may also be addressed.
Following this, Albanese will travel to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where he, along with the leaders of New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, have been invited to share their perspectives on regional and global security. This gathering is known as the “Indo-Pacific Four.”
NATO, in a statement, emphasized the growing importance of relations with like-minded partners worldwide in addressing security issues and upholding the rules-based international order.
During his trip, the prime minister is anticipated to meet with several European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. July 8 marks the 500th day since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton paid tribute to the Ukrainian people for their immense strength and courage in defending their homeland, culture, and people. He also acknowledged the shared grief over the deaths and injuries caused by Russia’s brutal actions.
To date, there have been over 9,083 civilian deaths and more than 15,779 injuries. The federal opposition criticized Australia’s latest support package, deeming it insufficient compared to Ukraine’s requests for additional military capabilities and equipment.
The opposition reiterated its bipartisan support for providing Australia’s military, humanitarian, financial, and energy support to Ukraine. They also called on the Albanese government to reinstate the Australian embassy and ambassador in Kyiv, joining the other 67 diplomatic missions that have already returned.
Australia recently announced an additional $110 million (US$73 million) in support, bringing the total assistance to $790 million (US$525 million).