Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has maintained Australia stands firmly with Ukraine, after Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump engaged in a heated public debate.
A peace deal to end the longstanding Ukraine-Russia war is now under threat after the fiery media event, which ended without a deal being signed.
The two Presidents met in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday after Ukraine agreed to the terms of a minerals deal brokered by the Trump administration.
If signed, the deal would give the US up to $500bn in revenue from Ukraine’s earth minerals in exchange for continued war effort support, but Zelensky ended up leaving without reaching an agreement.
During the meeting, Zelensky, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance engaged in a shouting match. Zelensky ended up leaving the White House shortly after, with a scheduled press conference also cancelled.
After several world leaders had already commented on the incident, Mr Albanese was asked about the matter during a press conference on Saturday morning.
“We stand with Ukraine,” he said. “The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their own national sovereignty, they are fighting for the international rule of law.
“Australia has committed some $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself. More than $1.3 billion of that is military support. 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.”
The Prime Minister dodged commenting on the behaviour and actions of Trump and Vance directly, only continuing to repeat Australia’s stance instead.
“There are many of course in the Ukrainian community here as well that I have engaged with for a long period of time now… including people who have fled the conflict, the people of Ukraine have suffered greatly in defence of their nation.
“Russia has acted like a bully, a big country seeking to invade and to take over territory from another sovereign nation in this case, Ukraine.
“What we will do is stand up for Australia’s national interest and Australia has an interest in the international rule of law being upheld, and that is what the people of Ukraine are fighting for.”
During the White House meeting, Trump claimed Zelensky was “gambling with World War III”.
“You’re right now not in a very good position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position and (Vance) happens to be right about it,” Trump said.
“You’re gambling with the lives of lots of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country. It’s backed you, far more than a lot of people said they should have.”
Vance then asked Zelensky if he had “said thank you once” in the meeting, while the Ukrainian leader rebutted, claiming he had been grateful on several occasions.
Zelensky and Trump went back and forth for a couple of minutes, with the US President at one point referring to his predecessor Joe Biden as “stupid” for giving such substantial funding to Ukraine during the Democrat’s administration.
Towards the end of the meeting, Trump gave a clear message, telling Zelensky: “We have empowered you to be a tough guy…you either make a deal or we are out. You don’t have the cards”.
After the heated exchange, Trump said Zelensky could come back to the White House “when he is ready for peace”.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” the leader of the free world posted on Truth Social.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelensky delivered a respectful post on X shortly after leaving the White House.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he posted.
