Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott (R) talks with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko after the latter presented him with a book, during their meeting in Melbourne December 11, 2014. Poroshenko is on a three-day official visit to Australia from Decem
Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott (R) talks with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko after the latter presented him with a book, during their meeting in Melbourne December 11, 2014. Poroshenko is on a three-day official visit to Australia from December 10 to 12. Australia could export coal and uranium to Ukraine to help ease Kiev's over reliance on Russian energy exports, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday. Reuters/Julian Smith
ustralia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott (R) talks with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko after the latter presented him with a book, during their meeting in Melbourne December 11, 2014. Poroshenko is on a three-day official visit to Australia from December 10 to 12. Australia could export coal and uranium to Ukraine to help ease Kiev's over reliance on Russian energy exports, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday. REUTERS/Julian Smith/Pool (AUSTRALIA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS ENERGY)

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott discussed the possible export of uranium to Ukraine with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in their bilateral talks in Melbourne on Thursday.

"We discussed today the possibility of co-operation in the sphere of nuclear energy," Skynews quotes the Ukrainian PM, who added, "There is the possibility for Ukraine to buy Australian uranium for our nuclear power stations."

YouTube/UKRAINE TODAY

Ukraine is facing shortage in uranium and coal supply, which Australia plans to fill in the gap. By doing so, it would bring in jobs and prosperity both in Australia and Ukraine, Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott also reiterated Canberra's support for Kiev amid an ongoing investigation into the shooting of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukrainian airspace. The ill-fated jet had Australian passengers aboard the flight bound for Kuala Lumpur.

He noted the stronger ties developed between the two countries because of the MH17 tragedy and he thanked Mr Poroshenko for the assistance that Ukraine extended to the families of Australians whose kin perished on MH 17.

"Coming from this tragedy I believe will be a strong and lasting friendship between the Australian people and the Ukrainian people," Mr Abbott stated.

What helped cement that friendship is the non-lethal assistance to Ukraine's armed forces and the opening of a temporary Australian embassy in Ukraine as well as almost $100 million contribution by Canberra to a global fund that would help Ukraine push for economic reforms, plus another $1 million humanitarian assistance.

Mr Poroshenko is in Australia for a two-day visit to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.