Australia will stand with Ukraine, following a public row between the leader of the country that was invaded by Russia three years ago and US President Donald Trump.
Footage of the astounding altercation at a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House, which included President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mr Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, has been beamed worldwide.
“We stand with Ukraine,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday, just hours after the exchange ended and Mr Zelenskiy was told to leave, according to a US official cited by Reuters.
“The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their own national sovereignty – they are fighting for the international rule of law,” Mr Albanese said in Sydney.
“We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin who, clearly, has imperialistic designs not just on Ukraine but throughout that region.”
Mr Albanese did not comment directly on the exchanges in the Oval Office, or Mr Trump’s behaviour, saying only that Australia’s foreign policy was determined by Australia.
“Russia has acted like a bully,” he said.
Mr Albanese’s remarks echoed those of the leaders of Germany, France and the European Union.
Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself.
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said the federal opposition had not veered from its support for Ukraine.
“We’re fully supportive of the Ukraine at this time,” he told reporters on Saturday in Sydney.
“That is our position.”
Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko expressed his deep appreciation for both Australia and the US on X, mirroring Mr Zelenskiy’s cordial post-meeting message on the social media platform.
The Ukrainian president’s Friday meeting with Mr Trump ramped up as the two leaders clashed before the world’s media over the war with Russia.
Mr Zelenskiy had reportedly viewed it as an opportunity to convince the US not to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.
Instead, Mr Trump and Mr Vance lectured Mr Zelenskiy, saying he showed disrespect, driving relations with Kyiv’s most important wartime ally to a new low, according to Reuters.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Mr Trump said.
“I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious, Mr President,” Zelenskiy replied.
Flinders University senior lecturer in international relations Jessica Genauer said the “very shocking” interaction suggested the Trump administration did not consider Ukraine an equal player.
“They’re really seeing Ukraine as more of a small or middle power country, who does not need to be considered or taken into account in the same way they’re clearly taking Russia into account,” she told ABC television on Saturday.
with Reuters
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