Australia to provide nearly $7M more to support Ukraine's energy sector

That is according to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Ukrinform reports, citing the Australian Foreign Ministry.

"The Albanese Government is providing a further AUD 10 million [nearly USD 6.8 million] to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating as Russia continues systematic strikes on civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure," the statement said.

Across Ukraine, families are enduring prolonged blackouts, freezing temperatures and major disruptions to basic services including hospitals as Russia intensifies attacks during one of Ukraine's harshest winters, the ministry said.

"Russia is weaponizing winter against the people of Ukraine. Russia's continued strikes on homes and critical infrastructure shows it is not serious about ending the war, despite ongoing efforts by the United States and Coalition of the Willing partners to secure a just and lasting peace," the ministry quoted Wong as saying.

The foreign minister said that since February 2022, Australia has provided more than AUD 1.7 billion (about $1.2 billion) in important military, humanitarian, economic and energy assistance. The new announcement brings Australia's total contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to AUD 40 million (more than $27 million).

"We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately end its illegal war and adhere to its obligations under international law," Wong said.

Since March 2022, Australia has supplied Ukraine with weapons and ammunition to defend against Russian aggression, including Bushmaster armored personnel carriers, M777 howitzers, M113 armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and drones. The country has also deployed at least 90 military instructors to train Ukrainian servicemen in the United Kingdom.

Since October 2023, an Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and up to 100 personnel have been stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to help protect supply routes to Ukraine.

The previous $63 million military aid package for Ukraine was sent by the Australian government in early December last year.

Photo: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine