<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339396</docID> <postdate>2025-03-01 12:20:21</postdate> <headline>Australia backs Ukraine following Oval Office spat</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339397" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20220704001676104195-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Anthony Albanese, pictured with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says Australia continues to stand with Ukraine. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Poppy Johnston</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australia is standing with Ukraine, following a public blow-up between the leader of the country invaded by Russia three years ago and US President Donald Trump.</strong></p> <p>The astounding altercation at a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance has been beamed around the world.</p> <p>"We stand with Ukraine," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday, just hours after the exchange which ended in Mr Zelenskiy being told to leave, according to a US official cited by Reuters.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"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."</p> <p>Mr Albanese did not comment directly on the exchanges in the Oval Office, saying only that Australia's foreign policy is determined by Australia.</p> <p>"Russia has acted like a bully," he said.</p> <p>Mr Albanese's remarks echoed those of the leaders of Germany, France and the European Union.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>"You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards," Mr Trump said.</p> <p>"I'm not playing cards, I'm very serious, Mr President," Zelenskiy replied.</p> <p>Mr Albanese called out Russian aggression and confirmed  Australia would continue to stand with Ukraine "as long as it takes".</p> <p>Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself.</p> <p>"I tell you how you get peace in Ukraine quickly... Russia stopping its illegal and immoral invasion," Mr Albanese said.</p> </body>