The federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton, says Donald Trump “got it wrong” when he attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator” who could soon lose his country.
Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, did not directly rebuke the US president on Thursday but stressed Australia stood with Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Labor and the Coalition both backed Ukraine in the wake of Trump’s online and then public tirade which dramatically escalated the feud with Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s leader this week accused Trump of living in a Russian “disinformation bubble” before Trump attacked Zelenskyy in a social media post laden with falsehoods.
Trump wrote: “A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.”
He said he loved Ukraine but Zelenskyy had “done a terrible job” and the country was “shattered”. Trump accused the Ukrainian president – without evidence – of benefiting from continuing US financial and military support, suggesting he had an interest in prolonging the war rather than seeking its end.
Asked about Trump’s comments, Dutton issued a rare public rebuke of the US president.
“Australia should stand strong and proud with the people of Ukraine. It’s a democracy and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch,” the Liberal leader told 2GB radio on Thursday.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelenskyy and the situation in the Ukraine.
“And I think very careful thought needs to be given about the next steps, because if we make Europe less safe, or we provide some sort of support to Putin, deliberately or inadvertently, that is a terrible, terrible outcome.”
The war of words between Trump and Zelenskyy followed a meeting between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the war in Ukraine as well as economic and political cooperation.
Ukraine and Europe were excluded – increasing fears that Trump could push for a peace deal favouring Putin.
Australia has steadfastly supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with the Morrison and Albanese governments sending a combined $1.5bn in military, economic, energy and humanitarian assistance since the war erupted.
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The prime minister on Thursday provided a general statement about Australia’s support for Ukraine.
“I speak for Australia’s interests and Australia stands with Ukraine in their struggle, which is a struggle not just for their own national sovereignty, but it is a struggle to stand up for the international rule of law,” Albanese told reporters in Whyalla.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, said he would not offer a “running commentary” on Trump’s remarks when asked if he agreed with the president’s assessment of Zelenskyy.
Marles, the deputy prime minister, said the conflict must be resolved on Ukraine’s terms.
“The aggressor here is Russia. They were the ones who illegally crossed into Ukraine, who invaded Ukraine. That is why we are supporting Ukraine,” he told Sky News.
Marles said the prospect of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine was not being discussed after the former prime minister Tony Abbott said Australia should be “prepared to make a contribution” to protect Ukraine’s freedom.
Britain and France are spearheading efforts to create a “reassurance force” to prevent future Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Article by:Source: Dan Jervis-Bardy
