Australia to deploy 100 soldiers to help Ukraine in its bloody war against Russian aggression
Australia will deploy up to 100 soldiers and a military aircraft to Europe in an effort to support Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the contributions at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) leaders summit in the Netherlands on Wednesday.
At the request of NATO and Poland, Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft in August along with 100 Australian Defence Force personnel.
Part of Operation Kudu, the deployment is designed to protect an international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine and will not be direct combat roles.
The deployment is expected to conclude by November and will compliment Australia's more than $1.5b in support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
'Australia is proud of its longstanding operational partnership with NATO,' Mr Marles said in announcing the commitments on Wednesday.
'The deployment of an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft will again showcase our ability to operate from Europe, alongside NATO and partners, in support of Ukraine and international peace and security.'
Leaders of the defensive alliance descended on The Hague on Tuesday for two days of talks on the conflict and Washington's uncertain commitment to NATO.
Representatives of the member states, including many European nations, the UK, the US and Canada, are expected to commit five per cent of their national outputs to defence and related spending.
Australia is not a NATO member but is considered one of its Indo-Pacific partners alongside Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.
During the summit, Australia also imposed a fresh wave of financial sanctions and travel bans on 37 individuals and financial sanctions on seven entities.
Mr Marles said the sanctions will target Russia's defence, energy, transport, insurance, electronic and finance sectors and proponents of disinformation and propaganda.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the sanctions as a sign of Australia's deep ties with NATO member states.
'Our targeted sanctions reflect our close coordination with key NATO partners, including the UK, Canada and the European Union.
'Australia has now imposed more than 1,500 sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We will continue to work with partners to disrupt Russia's ability to fund its illegal and immoral war.'
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