Australia is about to start giving humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, and it's opening its first embassy in the Ukrainian capital.

The moves were announced during a visit to Kiev by a group representing Ukrainian Australians, to discuss ways of boosting bilateral relations.

Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, Stefan Romaniw, says co-operation over the MH17 disaster has brought the two countries closer together.

From Kiev, he told Kristina Kukolja there are many longer-term projects are now being planned.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)