Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, met with Australian Ambassador to Ukraine Bruce Edwards. They discussed cooperation on Australia's humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2024.

Iryna Vereshchuk thanked Bruce Edwards for his support of Ukraine. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Australia has provided military and humanitarian assistance worth USD 910 million. This includes the Australian Emergency Humanitarian Fund.

In addition, sanctions were imposed on trade with russia and exports to the aggressor country were banned.

The Australian Ambassador expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the coordinated work of the authorities at all levels - from central to local. He also assured of the continued support of the Australian government and the Ukrainian diaspora living in there.

"Next year, assistance to Ukrainians will continue," he said.

Iryna Vereshchuk called for no reduction in aid to Ukraine, but for it to be provided in a way that allows for long-term planning of the humanitarian response.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that in order to maximise the impact, resources and efforts should be focused on a limited number of priority areas.

"If we have a clear understanding of how much and when we will have resources, we will be able to better plan our actions and manage risks," Iryna Vereshchuk emphasised.