Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod met with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on March 21 during an official visit to the country.
The UWC delegation also included Kateryna Argyrou, Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, and Frank Fursenko, President of the Association of Ukrainians in South Australia.
Grod and Wong discussed Australia’s continued support for Ukraine, including military aid, and sanctions against Russia.
Minister Wong emphasized the importance of the Australian-Ukrainian community’s courage and resilience during these challenging times. She also highlighted Australia’s status as the largest non-NATO contributor of military aid to Ukraine and underscored the need for continued collective international pressure on Russia.
UWC President expressed gratitude for Australia’s support, particularly in terms of military and humanitarian aid. He also renewed his call for Canberra to join the “coalition of the willing,” an informal alliance of Ukraine’s partners proposed as a military-political framework at the London summit.
Australia has allocated over $1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine’s Armed Forces and more than $66 million for the country’s reconstruction since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Canberra has also imposed targeted sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, including key figures in Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin’s administration and the Russian defense sector.
Minister Wong reaffirmed Australia’s unwavering support for Ukraine, underscoring the significance of this aid for global stability and confirming that Canberra would continue providing military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
