Australia news LIVE: PM welcomes High Court decision on Russian embassy; Ukraine to receive $110m assistance package amid war with Russia

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  • Ukraine aid package ‘inadequate, too small’, Birmingham says
  • Vladimir Putin thanks Wagner fighters who helped avoid bloodshed
  • This morning’s headlines at a glance

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Ukraine aid package ‘inadequate, too small’, Birmingham says

The opposition’s foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham has spoken about the situation in Russia and the government’s $110 million package to aid Ukraine.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, Birmingham said he was concerned the package included older military equipment.

“It doesn’t seem to address the specific asks that Ukraine had made such as for the Hawkei military vehicles or the Abrams tanks or the de-mining equipment that can provide humanitarian benefit as well,” Birmingham said this morning.

Shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Liberal senator said the package “feels inadequate and too small”.

“It’s also come too far too slowly … we have been calling and Ukraine has been pleading, even publicly through communications campaigns for months now, for additional support and yet, it’s only now been forthcoming and in this more limited nature.”

Birmingham also commented over the attempted revolt in Russia over the weekend, and said it was a matter for the country.

“The real harm from all that’s occurring is … now to see the destabilisation within Russia itself, but mostly, of course, the tragic consequences next door in Ukraine and with the huge loss of life and consequential damage.”

Vladimir Putin thanks Wagner fighters who helped avoid bloodshed

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the nation on Monday for unity, after an armed rebellion over the weekend was aborted less than 24 hours after it began.

In his first appearance since the rebellion ended, Putin also thanked most of the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into “bloodshed.” Putin said he would honour his promise to allow Wagner fighters to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, or to sign a contract with the Defence Ministry or simply return to their families.

Russian President Vladimir Putin during his address.Credit: AP

He blamed “Russia’s enemies” and said they “miscalculated”.

The Kremlin also tried to project stability on Monday when authorities released a video of Russia’s defence minister reviewing troops in Ukraine.

The full story on what Putin told the Russian people is here.

This morning’s headlines at a glance

Good morning, and thanks for your company.

It’s Tuesday, June 27. I’m Caroline Schelle, and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.

Here’s what you need to know before we get started:

  • High-interest rates are expected to make the Australian economy one of the worst performed across the Asia-Pacific over the next two years, according to a global ratings agency.
  • A diplomat squatting at the site of a proposed Russian embassy in Canberra abandoned the site after the High Court threw out a challenge to the government’s decision to terminate Russia’s lease of the land.
  • Global automotive giant BMW has thrown its weight behind the European Union’s push for the Albanese government to cut the cost of high-end electric vehicles.

Defence Minister Richard Marles (centre, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) says Australia will back Ukraine until it resolves its conflict with Russia.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

  • Historically significant Indigenous cultural artefacts are set to be returned to their traditional owners under a landmark deal between the German and Australian governments.
  • National data shows men are living longer and exercising more than five years ago, but eating fewer vegetables and more obese.
  • Experts said Ukraine would be privately disappointed by the limited scope of Australia’s $100 million package to aid the country, which includes 70 vehicles.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin aired a short televised address, claiming the country was “united” after mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a march to Moscow.
  • Animals Australia says thousands of sheep from Australia are set to be slaughtered outside the live export rules that are supposed to protect them in Oman.

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