Ukraine Crisis
Ukrainian President Zelensky addresses Australian Parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed Australia’s Parliament
Mr Zelensky stated that his nation had an “undefeatable dream” as he called for more assistance from the Australian government to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Zelensky says Ukraine has demonstrated that it appreciates its freedom and says the country is already thinking about the future and how it will restore itself after the war, despite Russia’s aggression continuing to bombard the country.
“They are shelling our cities,” he said.
“They are killing our civilians and children.
“They are creating sieges on our cities and holding hostages of hundreds and thousands of people without food or water.
“They are abducting thousands of children to their territories.”
Mr Zelenskyy said Russia has not destroyed the country’s “freedom, dignity, independence”
Zelensky called for Australia to share its Bushmaster vehicles and other military equipment, stating that Russian ships should be banned from all international ports.
He also encouraged sanctions to be more strictly enforced on the Kremlin in order to hurt the Russian economy.
Australia has pledged more support for Ukraine
Australia will provide an additional $25 million of defensive military assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to assist in the fight against Russia.
The funding will go towards “tactical decoys, unmanned aerial and unmanned ground systems, rations and medical supplies,” the Morrison government says.
It brings the total military assistance to $116 million.
Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison state that “this funding shows Australia is standing with Ukraine and condemns Russia’s actions.”