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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signed a significant bilateral security and trade agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The deal includes increased military support, training, and a commitment to long-term cooperation beyond the current conflict.
Why it matters
This agreement strengthens the international coalition supporting Ukraine and demonstrates Australia's commitment to global security and anti-aggression efforts.
Albanese pays tribute to Ukraine’s resistance
Albanese said the bilateral agreement would be in place not only during the war in Ukraine, but during peacetime once the conflict concludes.
The prime minister became emotional as he paid tribute to his “friend” Zelenskyy in his fight against Russian aggression.
“[Zelenskyy’s] leadership has been, I think, quite extraordinary, leading people in circumstances which are extraordinarily difficult,” he said.
“Russia thought it could just steamroll through in a matter of weeks, and what we have found is that the people of Ukraine were underestimated.”
The two leaders hugged when they first met in-person at the summit, with Zelenskyy thanking Australia for its support to Ukraine throughout the conflict.
“[The agreement is] the strongest document between our countries,” he told reporters.
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