Medical support to NATO-Ukraine Medical Rehabilitation Trust Fund

Australia will contribute $250,000 toward the NATO-Ukraine Medical Rehabilitation Trust Fund, to improve access to medical rehabilitation facilities for members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced support to the Trust Fund, following a meeting in Canberra with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Stepan Poltorak.

The Minister’s agreed to explore options for closer defence cooperation between Australia and Ukraine.

In 2014, NATO established five trust funds to help Ukraine better provide for its security, with medical rehabilitation being the focus of one of those funds.

Minister Pyne said that the Trust Fund would improve access to medical care and help build longer term medical services for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.  

“The Trust Fund supports a range of initiatives including the development of professional staff involved in physical and psychological rehabilitation, access to sport rehabilitation services and provision of equipment,” Minister Pyne said.

“The Fund has also provided support to Ukrainian participation in Invictus Games, which has proven invaluable in highlighting the power of sport in the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and ill service men and women.

“I am particularly delighted to announce Australia’s contribution to the NATO-Ukraine Medical Rehabilitation Trust Fund during the visit of Minister Stepan Poltorak.”

Minister Pyne’s meeting with Minister Poltorak today was an important step in reaffirming Australia’s relationship with Ukraine and an excellent opportunity to share perspectives on global security issues of mutual concern and defence engagement between Australia and Ukraine.