Australia, US joint aid for Ukraine on the cards

Australian Financial Review: Andrew Tillet
The Albanese government is working on a joint package of military aid with the US for Ukraine that could be unveiled later this month when US President Joe Biden visits Australia.

The work on the joint package comes as Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko urges the Albanese government to commit to 12-months of military assistance in next week’s budget, amid the most intense Russian bombardment in months.
Explosions and air raid sirens rang out across Kyiv and other cities early on Thursday, as Russia unleashed rockets and missiles in response to what it claimed was an “assassination attempt” against President Vladimir Putin when two drones blew up above the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied responsibility and Mr Myroshnychenko suggested the purported attack may have been staged by Moscow to justify continued “heavy strikes on Ukraine and killing civilians”.

“From my understanding it looks like a false flag operation,” Mr Myroshnychenko said.

“The video is pretty unimpressive. The drones looked like they were launched from another borough in Moscow.

“We don’t see any value in doing that [attacking Moscow]. It would be very naive to expect Putin was there.”

Australia has provided $510 million worth of military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February last year, with 90 Bushmaster and 28 M-113 armoured troop carriers, six howitzer guns, drones and ammunition among the pledged items.

Ukraine has been publicly lobbying the government heavily for the Hawkei four-wheel-drive patrol vehicle to help with its upcoming offensive but the Defence Department has blamed a fault with the anti-lock braking system for not handing them over.

The Albanese government’s most recent package of military aid was announced in February to coincide with the anniversary of the invasion but sources said the government was working on fresh assistance, including with the Americans. President Biden will be in Sydney on May 24 for the Quad leaders meeting

Details of the package remain tightly-held but one option could be to follow America’s lead and also contribute M1 tanks to Ukraine. Australia also has 40 mothballed US-designed F/A-18 Classic Hornet fighter jets in storage that some experts have suggested should be given to Ukraine.

Australia is partnering with France to produce artillery shells for Ukraine. It is understood a sample of explosives made in Australia is being readied to be sent to France for testing and qualification.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan later this month where they will highlight the munitions partnership.

Mr Myroshnychenko said he had been talking to Defence Minister Richard Marles and other senior officials about fresh support for his country, and next week’s budget provided the chance to outline a 12-month commitment.

“This war is dragging and the longer it drags on it becomes more messy and destructive,” Mr Myroshnychenko said.

“It’s pretty much up to the political leadership to decide what they will continue to support Ukraine militarily with.

“If Australia was to join the international tank coalition that would be huge.”

Victorian Liberal Senator David Van, who chairs the Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine group, said there had been silence from the government on further aid.

“They haven’t even delivered all the Bushmasters promised yet,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned this government has abandoned Ukraine.”

Asked about further military aid, Mr Marles’ office referred to comments he made on the weekend about Australia being one of the largest non-NATO contributors.

“We intend to continue to be that and we’re working really closely with the Ukrainian government about how we can best make a contribution, knowing that this is going to be a protracted conflict and we need to be there with Ukraine for the duration,” he said.

Read original article here: Australia, US joint aid for Ukraine on the cards (afr.com)