1. Recognition of Ukraine: 26 December 1991.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: 10 January 1992 through an exchange of notes.
3. Political relations
Ukraine and Australia enjoy close and friendly bilateral relations based on a shared commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Australia consistently supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, rejects Russia’s attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territories, and strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Australia has provided Ukraine with substantial military, financial, energy and humanitarian assistance. As of September 2026, Australia’s overall support for Ukraine amounts to almost AUD 1.9 billion, including more than AUD 1.6 billion in military assistance. Australia remains one of the largest non-NATO contributors of military assistance to Ukraine.
Australia’s assistance has included Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, M1A1 Abrams tanks, artillery ammunition, air-defence capabilities, guided weapons, unmanned systems and other military equipment. Australian Defence Force personnel contribute to the training of members of the Defence Forces of Ukraine under Operation KUDU, including through the multinational Operation LEGIO in Poland. In June 2026, Australia announced an additional AUD 100 million in military assistance through NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).
On 23 September 2026 in New York, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese signed the Agreement on Long-Term Support and Cooperation between Ukraine and Australia. The Agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in security and defence, defence industry, sanctions, cyber security, Ukraine’s recovery and other areas.
At the same time, Australia announced an additional AUD 60 million support package, comprising AUD 45 million in Australian Defence Force equipment, AUD 10 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and AUD 5 million in humanitarian assistance. Australia also announced that it would join the UK- and Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine.
Australia actively supports international efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Australia participates in the Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the Drone Coalition and the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, and has joined the Register of Damage for Ukraine as an Associate Member. In May 2026, Australia expressed its intention to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Australia participated in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland in June 2024 and joined its Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework. Australia also participates in the international Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine.
Australia has imposed extensive financial, trade and targeted sanctions against the Russian Federation and individuals and entities supporting its aggression against Ukraine. These measures cover Russian officials, military leaders, oligarchs, defence-industry entities, propagandists, persons and organisations involved in the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, as well as vessels associated with Russia’s “shadow fleet”. Australia’s Consolidated List of sanctioned persons, entities and vessels is regularly updated.
In December 2024, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid the first visit to Ukraine by an Australian Foreign Minister since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. During the visit, she held talks with Ukraine’s leadership and announced additional Australian assistance for Ukraine’s recovery and energy resilience.
In January 2025, the Australian Embassy resumed operations in Kyiv. In April 2026, newly appointed Ambassador of Australia to Ukraine Jeff Bowan presented his credentials to the President of Ukraine.
Key bilateral contacts