Sydney: Australia has reiterated its firm support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any resolution to the ongoing war with Russia must be on Kyiv’s terms.
The statement comes in response to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and suggested Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles reinforced Australia’s position, highlighting that Russia is the aggressor in the conflict. "The war in Ukraine must be settled in a way that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty because what’s at stake here is the integrity of the global rules-based order," Marles told reporters on Thursday. "We support efforts to bring the war to an end, but it must be on terms that align with Ukraine’s interests."
Australia, a close security ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific, has provided A$1.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began. The nation has also voiced concerns over China's growing military presence in the region.
Trump’s remarks, in which he labeled Zelenskiy a "dictator" and warned that Ukraine must swiftly negotiate peace or risk its survival, have sparked anxiety among European allies. His claims that Ukraine bears responsibility for Russia’s invasion have been met with widespread criticism.
Australia’s opposition leader, Peter Dutton, also rejected Trump’s stance. "President Trump is mistaken," Dutton said. "The idea that Ukraine or President Zelenskiy provoked this war is simply incorrect. Australia should stand firmly with Ukraine, a democratic nation fighting for its survival. Vladimir Putin is a brutal dictator, and he must not be given any ground."
