<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339483</docID> <postdate>2025-03-02 14:20:14</postdate> <headline>Australian support for Ukraine strong despite US fiasco</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339484" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20220331001641944457-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated Australia's support for Ukraine. (file) (Mike Bowers/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Andrew Brown</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australia will provide full support to Ukraine, which is fighting a war against Russia, even if the US withdraws its own, the prime minister says.</strong></p> <p>Anthony Albanese and other world leaders have reiterated their support for Ukraine after US President Donald Trump was involved in a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House over the war and a potential peace deal.</p> <p>After a heated row, Mr Trump threatened to stop support for Ukraine and accused Mr Zelenskiy of being ungrateful for US aid in its battle against the invading forces.</p> <p>Mr Albanese said Mr Zelenskiy remained a hero and reiterated his support for Ukraine's defence.</p> <p>"We have unequivocal and unconditional support for the brave struggle of the people of Ukraine," he reiterated in Sydney on Sunday.</p> <p>"Ukraine is defending its national sovereignty, but it's also defending the international rule of law.</p> <p>"That is why Australia has a national interest in providing support - we've already provided $1.5 billion of support, of which $1.3 billion has been military and defence support."</p> <p>The prime minister said any further financial or military support for Ukraine was being constantly considered.</p> <p>Mr Zelenskiy had reportedly viewed the meeting with Mr Trump as an opportunity to convince the US not to side with President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion three years ago.</p> <p>Instead, Mr Trump and Vice President JD 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>Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said imposing a ceasefire on Ukraine wouldn't be acceptable and would be a win for the Russian leader.</p> <p>Despite the tense meeting between the Ukraine and US presidents, Senator Paterson said America was crucial to any ceasefire negotiations.</p> <p>"It's very hard to see how peace can be durable if there isn't American leadership, if there isn't an American security guarantee," he told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday.</p> <p>"That does seem to be something that is part of the negotiations between Zelenskiy and Trump, and we're all hopeful that that is able to be achieved."</p> <p>Senator Paterson also said Australia shouldn't reconsider its defence alliance with the US, despite the Oval Office blow-up.</p> <p>"Occasionally, even between allies, when there is contention, diplomacy can be very robust," he said.</p> <p>"(It's) critical to have American leadership in the world.</p> <p>"That's in the world's interest, and ... that's in as America's interest, and I hope that we are able to achieve a ceasefire on acceptable terms to Ukraine."</p> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australia was unequivocal in its support for Ukraine.</p> <p>"We couldn't be more supportive of President Zelenskiy and his people," he told Sky News.</p> <p>"This is a brave and courageous country.</p> <p>"It has a democratically elected leader who will go down in history for the bravery of his position and his leadership, and we support him and his country without reservation."</p> <p>Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the US President's stance on trade and security had implications for Australia.</p> <p>"We need to demonstrate a strong hand," he told Sky News.</p> <p>"President Trump studies your cards very closely, and I think he wants to know that his allies have a strong hand.</p> <p>"Australia stands with Ukraine.</p> <p>"We've always stood with Ukraine since Russia's illegal, immoral and unjustified invasion of Ukraine ... we want to see Ukrainian sovereignty upheld in any peace settlement."</p> </body>