'We stand with Ukraine': PM speaks after Oval Office clash

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has commented on the heated conflict between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump. Albanese reiterated to reporters that the Australian government will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, but he declined to comment specifically on the remarks made by Trump and JD Vance, emphasizing Australia's focus on its own support for Ukraine.

Albanese stated, "We stand with Ukraine." He emphasized that the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their national sovereignty but also for the international rule of law. He added that Australia will continue to support Ukraine because it is a struggle between democratic nations and an autocratic regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly harbors imperialistic ambitions not only towards Ukraine but also towards the entire region, indicating Australia's firm stance against authoritarian aggression.

Albanese also stated that Australia certainly hopes to see peace achieved in Ukraine, which is also the wish of the Ukrainian people. He believes that the fastest way to achieve peace in Ukraine is for Russia to cease its illegal and immoral invasion, stop its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and end its three-year-long aggression, highlighting the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate the conflict and respect international norms.

This comes after multiple world leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine following a heated exchange in the Oval Office. Trump's reported rebuke of Zelenskyy was unprecedented, leading to a near real-time fracture in relations between Washington and Kyiv. Trump at one point threatened to abandon Ukraine completely, and a planned press conference and U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement signing ceremony were quickly canceled after Trump demanded Zelenskyy leave the White House immediately, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Albanese stated that the government will continue to defend Australia's national interests. He reiterated that Australia's position is to stand with Ukraine. He pointed out that Russia is acting like a bully, attempting to invade and occupy the territory of another sovereign nation, and that the Ukrainian people are fighting to uphold the international rule of law, which is in Australia's national interest, thereby reinforcing Australia's commitment to a rules-based international order.