From Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
BILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE AND THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRALIA
CONTRACTUAL LEGAL BASE
AUSTRALIA
1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 26, 1991
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 10, 1992
3. Political relations
Australia consistently supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and unequivocally condemns Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. Australia is providing political, legal, economic, humanitarian and security assistance to Ukraine.
Total volume of Australia’s assistance to Ukraine is around 450 million USD, of which military aid constitutes over 335 million USD. Thus, Australia is among largest contributors of security assistance to Ukraine outside NATO. Australia has imposed sanctions against more than 1000 individuals and legal entities from Russia, Belarus and Iran.
In 2022-2023 Ukraine-Australia bilateral contacts witnessed considerable increase. Among over 20 high-level contacts was the first ever visit to Ukraine by the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, as well as the visit to Australia by the members of the Ukraine-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group in Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (20-25 Mar 2023).
4. Trade and economic relations
Australia is the leading trade partner of Ukraine in Oceania.
According to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, in 2022 the volume of bilateral trade amounted to 236,2 million USD, an increase of 9,8% compared to 2021 (exports – 18,7 million USD and imports – 217,5 million USD).
In Jan-May 2023 bilateral trade reached 53,01 million USD (7,47 million USD – exports, and 45,54 million USD imports).
Science and technical cooperation
Both Ukraine and Australia have advanced research and development sectors of their national economies that lay the basis for the implementation of the joint projects in this field.
Among first joint projects in this field is putting into orbit a satellite Intelsat-19 by Ukrainian rocket Zenit-3SL in June 2012 within Sea Launch Project. Intelsat-19 is being used to provide high quality broadcasting in Australia and other countries.
There is active cooperation between Ukrainian and Australian IT companies.
It should be noted that Australian universities house Ukrainian scientists participating in international research and development projects in the sphere of physics of metals, optical physics, geology, chemistry, and healthcare.
5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation
Humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Australia began long before the proclamation of the independence of our country.
In 1985, H.E. Mr John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia (then opposition leader), opened the memorial to the victims of Holodomor 1932-1933 in Ukraine at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canberra.
In 2007, the sculptural composition “Shevchenko’s Thoughts”, presented by the Kyiv State Administration to the Ukrainian community in Australia, was opened on the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Centre in Canberra.
The key humanitarian project of 2018 was the participation of the Ukrainian team in the Invictus Games in Sydney.
After the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine Australian Government provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine totalling around 45 million USD, which were channelled through the UN and Red Cross.
Australia has also provided 6,2 million USD for the border protection and cyber-security of Ukraine; 0,7 million USD for radiation protection purposes and 0,5 million USD – for respective personal protection kits; 0,143 million USD was allocated for the chemical protection purposes (via OPCW).
In Apr 2023 Australia’s Victoria State Government has transferred through Ukraine24 platform around 335,000 USD for the Ministry of Health of Ukraine for the rebuilding of Mykolaiv Municipal traumatology centre.
6. Legal framework
Bilateral treaties in force – 7.
7. Ukrainian community
Ukrainian community in Australia consists of approximately 38,000 people.
First Ukrainian community of Southern Australia was established in May 1949. During next couple of years Ukrainian communities were established in other states.
First union organisation of Ukrainians in Australia was established on 10 June 1950 during the first all-Australian conference of Ukrainians.
During the Forth conference in 1953, Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) was formed that up until now coordinates activities of 22 Ukrainian organisations throughout Australia. As such, it is widely regarded as the spokesbody on matters concerning relationships within the Ukrainian community, between Australia and Ukraine. The Headquarters of AFUO are located in Melbourne – city of the biggest representation of Ukrainians in Australia. The Federation is co-chaired by Stephan Romaniw and Kateryna Argyrou.
As of now, the AFUO consists of 22 organizations of Ukrainian expats, represented in each Australian state.
In 2022-2023 the AFUO has contributed around 9 million USD in humanitarian assistance in response to the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine.
There are 7 Saturday and Sunday Ukrainian schools in Australia.
The Youth movement is represented by Plast scout organisation and Ukrainian Youth Association.
8. Diplomatic representation
Defense Industries Forum
The first Defense Industries Forum was held. Very successful.
CULTURAL AND HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION
Key bilateral contacts:
Dec 2014 – state visit of the President of Ukraine to Australia.
Sep 2016 – meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Australia during the 71st session of UNGA.
Oct 2017 – visit to Ukraine by the President of the Senate of Australian Parliament.
20 Feb 2022 – meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Marise Payne on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
23 Feb 2022, 16 Mar 2022 – telephone calls between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Australia’s Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison.
05 Mar 2022 – telephone call between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
28 Mar 2022, 07 Apr 2022 – telephone calls between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Marise Payne.
31 Mar 2022 – address of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Australian Parliament.
31 May 2022 – telephone call between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong.
03 July 2022 – visit to Ukraine by the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese.
20 Sep 2022 – meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Hon Penny Wong on the sidelines of the 77th Session of UNGA.
11 Oct 2022 – telephone call between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
12 Nov 2022 – meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Cambodia.
09 May 2023 – telephone call between the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Australian Federal Parliament Milton Dick.
21 May 2023 – meeting between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
AID BELOW LISTED FROM AVAILABLE WIKIPEDIA DATA
(TO BE UPDATED MANUALLY SHORTLY)
- A$35 million in humanitarian aid on 1 March 2022[7]
- A$30 million on 20 March 2022:[8]
- A$10 million to various non-government organisations
- A$10 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Ukraine fund[9]
- A$10 million to the World Food Programme
- A$2 million to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal
- A$8 million to the United Nations Population Fund
- At least 70,000 tons of thermal coal for Ukrainian power stations on 20 March 2022[8]
- 6,000 Ukrainians have been granted Humanitarian visas. (April 2022) [10]
- Over 8,000 relief items, such as blankets, hygiene and kitchen sets, and lighting for Ukrainian refugees facing cold temperatures, in co-operation with the United Kingdom. (March 2022) [11]
As of December 2023, Australia’s military support to Ukraine was worth about AU$730 million in monetary terms.[17]
Armoured personnel carriers
- 56 M113AS4 [Delivered from June 2022 onwards. 28 more pledged in June 2023]. Some M113AS4 Armoured Logistics Vehicle variant also donated [Before March 2023].[18][19]
Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles
- 120 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles [Delivered from April 2022 onwards].[18][20]
Vehicles
- 14 Supacat HMT Extenda MK2 special operations vehicles [June 2023].[19][21]
- 28 armored RMMV HX 40M military trucks with 14 trailers [June 2023].[19][22]
- Sentinel 830R rigid hull inflatable boats.[23]
Towed artillery
Ammunition
- Joint manufacture of 155mm artillery ammunition with France with Australia supplying the gunpowder [January 2023].[24][25]
- 105mm artillery ammunition [2022/2023].[19]
- “Ammunition” [March or April 2022].[18]
Loitering munitions
- 300 DefendTex D40s [August 2022].[26][18]
- Corvo PPDS [Since May or June 2023].[18][27]
Unmanned aerial and unmanned ground systems / Radar systems
- Part of A$25 million package announced in [March 2022].[28] Oryx describes the unspecified systems as Reconnaissance UAVs,[18] while ABC News reported they were radar systems.[29]
Small arms (delivered along with ammunition)
- A$70 million worth of lethal military equipment (“including missiles and weapons”) [March 2022].[30]
- A$26.5 million worth of anti-armour weapons and ammunitions [April 2022].[31]
- Small number of Australian Combat Assault Rifles.[32]
Miscellaneous equipment
- ”Tactical decoys” (part of A$25 million) [March 2022].[28][18]
- A$21 million worth of “Australian Defence Force stocks” including ammunition and body armor [March 2022].[33]
- Demining equipment.[34]
- Portable X-ray machines[34]
- A 3D metal printer[34]
- Counter UAV systems.[34]
Training
- Training of Ukrainian soldiers by 70 Australian instructors [from January 2023 onwards].[35] In 2024 the number of instructors increased to 90.[17]
Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft
- One Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft will be based in Germany for approximately six months from October 2023 to provide early warning in the event of any threats outside of Ukraine.[36]
Financial aid
- A$3 million contribution to a NATO trust fund [February 2022]. Later increased to AU$24 million (as of December 2023).[37][38]
- A$50 million grant to the International Fund for Ukraine for the purchase of military equipment.[39]