Australia and France have announced their teaming up to provide support for Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces. The two countries say they are going to supply artillery shells to Kyiv.

The Australian ministers for defense and foreign affairs were in Paris on Monday for talks with their French counterparts. The headline announcement involved support for Ukraine. The two countries will jointly produce 155-millimeter artillery shells for the Ukrainian military, to be made in France using Australian gunpowder.

The meeting follows a sustained effort by the Australian prime minister to mend soured relations with Paris.

In 2021, his predecessor backed out of a deal to purchase French submarines. Australia instead entered into an agreement with the United States and Britain to secure nuclear-powered vessels under the new AUKUS pact.

With Ukraine calling on its allies to send additional equipment and armaments, Monday's agreement between France and Australia will be welcomed in Kyiv.