The Australian Government will provide another AUD31 million (almost $20.6 million) in aid to meet Ukraine’s energy and humanitarian needs, according to a joint press release from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development and Pacific Affairs.
“The new contribution includes AUD20 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, which will allow the funds to be used effectively and efficiently to provide Ukrainians with heat and electricity,” the document says.
According to the document, Australia will also provide AUD10 million to the UN Humanitarian Fund to support displaced persons and vulnerable groups to increase access to basic necessities such as water, food and shelter.
A further AUD1 million has been allocated through the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to improve services for people with disabilities in Ukraine, including those in need of rehabilitation from war trauma.
“The Australian government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine and doing its part with partner countries to ensure that Ukraine can end this conflict on its own terms,” said Minister for International Development Pat Conroy.
It is specified that in total, Australia has allocated more than AUD1 billion in aid to Ukraine, including AUD880 million in military support.
“The Albanese government (Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – IF-U) unwaveringly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized.
The Energy Support Fund for Ukraine was established jointly by the European Commission and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. The Fund coordinates international donations and works in partnership with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that Ukraine’s highest priority energy needs are met.
The Danish government is allocating a new humanitarian aid package for Ukraine in the amount of DKK 250 million (€33.5 million), which, in particular, provides for the protection of the most vulnerable groups, the press service of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.
“…With this new support package, we aim to provide urgent and vital humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable groups,” said Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jorgensen.
The package provides basic emergency assistance such as food, medicine, water and shelter for Ukrainians in the most affected areas of the Russian aggression, with a special focus on protecting the most vulnerable people in Ukraine.
“The support package also contributes to efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to the particular risks faced by women and girls, including the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, and contributes to the provision of, for example, psychosocial support and maternal health care,” the statement said.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has announced a new $300 million military aid package for Ukraine, including artillery ammunition and HIMARS shells.
“I’m announcing a $300 million emergency security assistance package of weapons and equipment to address some of Ukraine’s most pressing needs,” Sullivan said at a briefing on Tuesday.
He noted that the opportunity to transfer the aid was made possible by “unanticipated cost savings” in contracts that the Defense Department had awarded to replace equipment that had already been sent to Ukraine.
Sullivan noted that the opportunity to transfer the aid was made possible by “unanticipated cost savings” from contracts the Defense Department had signed to replace equipment that had already been sent to Ukraine.
“To be very clear, we can use these cost savings to provide this modest amount of new security assistance right now without compromising the U.S. military. And the president has instructed his team to use those savings,” Sullivan explained.
The White House reported that the announced aid package, in particular, includes a large batch of artillery ammunition and GMLRS used in the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.
“This is the assistance Ukraine desperately needs to hold the front line against Russian attacks and to counter Russia’s ongoing offensive in eastern and other parts of Ukraine. This ammunition will keep Ukrainian forces firing for some time, but only for a short period,” he emphasized.
Sullivan added that this aid will not prevent Ukraine from running out of ammunition in the coming weeks.
“It goes without saying that this package does not and should not postpone the critical need to pass a bipartisan national security bill,” he emphasized.
The U.S. Senate has approved a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine for 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyny said.
“The bulk of the amount ($50 billion) is defense support. There will be even more weapons, equipment and ammunition for our defenders. The rest of the aid will be directed to direct budget support and other programs that will help Ukraine remain economically sustainable,” Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.
The Prime Minister thanked the Senate for this important decision and expressed hope that the House of Representatives would support this aid.
The German Federal Government has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine. The list of aid was published by the German government’s press service.
According to the list, the Ukrainian army has been allocated 4 HX81 tractors and 4 semi-trailers for them, 8 Zetros trucks, 3 vehicles and 2 border guard vehicles.
In addition, the Ukrainian military will receive 3,840 155 mm artillery shells, 15 HLR 338 long-range sniper rifles and 60,000 rounds of ammunition, 5 drone detection sensors, 25 laser rangefinders, 1 mobile antenna system, and 250 tool kits with explosive material.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said that Washington would provide additional funding for Kyiv, Politico reports.
“I think it will all come together in the coming days. I’m confident and optimistic that we can do it – get it done,” he said.
Johnson said that there is a sense of urgency in getting aid to both Israel and Ukraine, adding that there is “a lot of thoughtful negotiations going on among members of Congress.”
The speaker also said that assistance to Israel is a top priority for the United States and called assistance to Ukraine another priority.
“Of course, we can’t let Vladimir Putin march through Europe, and we understand the need to provide assistance there (Ukraine – IF-U),” Johnson said.
He explained that if Ukraine needs additional assistance, which most members of Congress consider important, then it is also necessary to work on changing US border policy.
