Australia will contribute $20 million to an energy support fund for Ukraine amid calls for an urgent shipment of coal.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced a $31 million package for Ukraine’s energy and humanitarian needs on Friday.
The funds will be used to provide heat and electricity to Ukrainians as the conflict drags on into the European winter.
The Albanian government has come under fire after a request for help from kyiv went unanswered for six months.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) met with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy (right) on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania last year.
Ukraine has requested coal shipments as Russia bombards its power plants with missile and drone attacks.
An additional $10 million in emergency humanitarian aid will be allocated to the United Nations to increase access to essentials such as water, food and shelter.
To help rehabilitate and care for people with disabilities and war wounds, an additional $1 million will be provided.
Senator Wong said the government remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“Australia’s $20 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund will be used to meet the highest priority energy needs and support the Ukrainian people,” he said.
International Development Minister Pat Conroy said Australia was proud to support the Ukrainian people.
“The Australian Government remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Ukraine and contribute alongside partner countries so that Ukraine can end this conflict on its own terms.”
