Ukraine crisis: Australia will fund lethal weapons, joining US, Germany in providing Kyiv military support

Funding for the weapons signals a shift from Australia’s previous stance that it would only fund military technical assistance

Morrison also urged Australian citizens not travel to join Ukraine’s militia in fighting against the Russian military

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. February 28, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:09pm, 1 Mar 2022Updated: 1:14pm, 9 Mar 2022

Australia has committed A$70 million (US$50 million) to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.

Australia now joins the US and Germany in offering military support to Kyiv. Canberra has now shifted from its stance last week when it said it would only fund military technical assistance.

Morrison told reporters on Tuesday the majority of the new weapons funding for Ukraine would be in the lethal category.

“We’re talking missiles, we’re talking ammunition, we’re talking supporting them in their defence of their own homeland in Ukraine and we will be doing that in partnership with Nato.”

He said the weapons would be delivered rapidly, but did not disclose how.

Morrison also urged Australian citizens not travel to join Ukraine’s militia in fighting against the Russian military, saying the legal position of foreign civilian combatants was unclear.

“Don’t do it,” he said.