‘My friend’: Anthony Albanese announces $60m more for Ukraine at Zelenskyy meeting
News Source
•Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:40:48 GMT
📰 What Happened
Anthony Albanese announced $60m more in support for Ukraine during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN general assembly and signed a 10-year security agreement.
The package includes $45m in defence equipment, $10m for Ukraine's energy support fund and $5m for humanitarian aid. It brings Australia's total support to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion to $1.9bn.
An emotional Albanese praised Zelenskyy's leadership, saying people had underestimated Ukraine. He said the deal would also cover peacetime once the war ends.
🔍 The Backstory
Albanese was in New York for the UN general assembly, where he planned a major foreign policy speech. He was expected to warn that the world order set up after 1945 is 'no longer fit for purpose.'
He argued that openness, efficiency and international rules had been assumed to keep the peace. He said those assumptions relied on major democratic powers going unchallenged.
On the same day, Albanese also signed a new strategic partnership with the Netherlands. It aims to boost defence ties and secure justice for the victims of the MH17 crash.
🎯 Why It Matters
The pledge shows Australia backing Ukraine as its war with Russia drags on. It also signals Albanese wants to reshape how countries work together as old global rules come under strain.
Anthony Albanese announced $60m more in support for Ukraine during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN general assembly and signed a 10-year security agreement.
The package includes $45m in defence equipment, $10m for Ukraine's energy support fund and $5m for humanitarian aid. It brings Australia's total support to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion to $1.9bn.
An emotional Albanese praised Zelenskyy's leadership, saying people had underestimated Ukraine. He said the deal would also cover peacetime once the war ends.
Albanese was in New York for the UN general assembly, where he planned a major foreign policy speech. He was expected to warn that the world order set up after 1945 is 'no longer fit for purpose.'
He argued that openness, efficiency and international rules had been assumed to keep the peace. He said those assumptions relied on major democratic powers going unchallenged.
On the same day, Albanese also signed a new strategic partnership with the Netherlands. It aims to boost defence ties and secure justice for the victims of the MH17 crash.
The pledge shows Australia backing Ukraine as its war with Russia drags on. It also signals Albanese wants to reshape how countries work together as old global rules come under strain.