The Albanese government’s lukewarm support for Ukraine in its fight against the evil Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a source of embarrassment many months. The measly financial and military assistance is now moving into deeply shameful – and potentially dangerous – territory.

Much is at stake in Ukraine’s resistance against the brutal Russian invasion launched in February 2022. Not only are lives at stake in Europe, rising powers elsewhere are looking on, closely examining the West’s resolve. Ukraine’s fight may be a long way from Australia but the ramifications of a Russian victory could have real consequences closer to home.

While Australia offers paltry assistance, other nations are showing what genuine support should look like. The US Congress this week overcame rising division about the Ukraine war effort to approve a $US61 billion ($95 billion) aid package for the war-torn country. Much of the money will be spent providing Ukraine with air defence systems, weapons and ammunition.

The Herald’s international affairs editor Peter Hartcher called the funding for Ukraine decisive. “Without it, Kyiv’s ability to withstand Moscow would be tested severely and it might have been forced prematurely to the negotiating table. With it, Ukraine is able confidently to continue the fight,” he wrote on Tuesday.

Then on Tuesday morning Australian time, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a new £500 million ($957 million) package of military aid, which will include equipment designed to deter Russia’s bombardment of power stations. Sunak says this brings to £3 billion the total UK military aid for Ukraine this financial year.

The British package includes 60 boats, some 1600 strike and air defence missiles, long-range precision-guided missiles, 160 protected mobility “Husky” vehicles, 162 armoured vehicles and 78 all-terrain vehicles, and nearly four million rounds of small arms ammunition.

“If Putin is allowed to succeed in this war of aggression, he will not stop at the Polish border,” Sunak observed.

In a recent address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful “to everyone in the world who is willing to help us”.