Anthony Albanese commented on recent meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, following Ukraine agreeing to the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US.
Australian Prime Minister Albanese joined a virtual meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” on Saturday night, following Ukraine accepting the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the meeting, which included the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other leaders from Europe, Canada, and New Zealand.
“This is a struggle not just for the people of Ukraine and their national sovereignty. This is a struggle for the international rule of law,” Albanese said.
After the meeting, Albanese said President Vladimir Putin has imperialist designs for Ukraine and beyond, and the Coalition needed to ensure that the actions of Russia were not rewarded through any peace process.
“Australia supports all meaningful processes towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and for broader security in Europe. But pressure will need to be applied on Russia to engage in good faith,” he said.
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The prime minister reiterated Australia’s strong and steadfast support for Ukraine and restated that Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“It is the right thing to do and it is in Australia’s national interest. Because what happens in the Euro-Atlantic has serious implications for our region—the Indo-Pacific—and vice versa,” he said.
Australia has committed $1.5 billion (US$949 million) to help Ukraine defend itself, including $1.3 billion in military support.
The meeting focused on strengthening Ukraine, preparing to defend any deal through a Coalition of the Willing, and keeping pressure on Russia.
Starmer said preparing for a secure and lasting peace means strengthening Ukraine in military capability, funding and provision of further support, so they can defend themselves.
“The world is watching,” he said after the meeting.
US Suspension of Aid and Ceasefire Proposal
The meeting builds upon a surge of diplomacy between European and other Western countries to support Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The Trump administration said they would communicate with the Kremlin that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace, and on March 11 lifted the pause on intelligence sharing and resumed security assistance to Ukraine.
Starmer said Putin was the one trying to delay peace deals.
“If Putin is serious about peace, it’s very simple: he has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire,” he said.
