Anthony Albanese promises Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to face pressure to impose further sanctions on Russia, with more tanks.
The meeting with the Ukrainian president is one of several encounters with world leader Albanese during the inauguration of Pope Leo Xiv in the Vatican in Rome on Sunday.
The Prime Minister also held a one-on-one meeting with EU President Ursula Von der Leyen, which raised the prospect of a closer defense agreement between the EU and Australia.
Albanis told Zelensky that Australia would provide Ukraine with more military equipment as it fights Russian invasions.
“We currently have tanks, which is a very positive initiative,” he said at the meeting.
“The illegal Russian aggression requires resistance, we are very clear and explicitly standing with Ukraine, and of course, we also call for peace.”
The Ukrainian president also called on countries such as Australia to impose more sanctions on Moscow’s pressure.
Zelensky posted on X after posting the talks on X: “I thank Australia for its comprehensive support to help our fighters defend the Abrams tanks in Ukraine.”
More tanks in Australia are “traveling to Ukraine” as prime minister urges further sanctions on Russia, Anthony Albanese
I saw the Prime Minister wearing Akubra at the inauguration ceremony (as shown in the picture)
‘It’s a good thing that we have allies from different continents.
“We can really bring the current situation closer to peace by putting pressure on Russia.”
At the intervals between the pope’s inauguration, Albanys also spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
However, Albanys did not have a one-on-one meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who also attended the inauguration.
After his inauguration, he did have the opportunity to talk to Pope Leo Xiv, who Albanese said was a “humorous discussion.”
The conversation happened after many world leaders were taken to the cathedral to say hello to the pope.
“I’m sure my mother will look out of the sky with her biggest smile ever,” Albanes told reporters.
“The fact that her son was in the inauguration mass of the Pope in the Vatican was extraordinary.
Albanese does have the chance to inaugurate with Pope Leo Xiv, Albanese
“So, for me, it’s also a very personal moment, and it’s a personal discussion.”
Albanese, a Catholic who grew up on a housing board in Sydney, often mentions his single mother and his impact on life.
After the inauguration, security relations were established during discussions with the EU president, Ms. von der Leyen raised the concept of a defence agreement between Australia and the trading group, similar to what it had already arranged with Japan and South Korea.
Albanis said Australia reached a defense agreement with EU countries such as Germany but would consider von der Leyen’s proposal.
“We say we are of course interested in any further participation in support. But it was a very early stage at this point,” his reporter in Rome said.
“There is no further detail, and it is indeed an assertion that European values are consistent with Australian values.”
Discussions with Von der Leyen are coming as Australia is trying to reach a trade deal with the EU.
Federal front bench Tanya Plibersek agrees there are several “sticky points”.
She told the Seven Sunrise Plan, she told the Seven Sunrise Plan: “The EU wants to restrict the use of names, they are Palma, Fita, Prosecco, the food names related to where they come from.”
The trade agreement with the EU will open up a huge market for Australian goods and services.
As a group, the EU is Australia’s third largest two-way trading partner on 2022/23. It is also the sixth largest export destination and the third largest service export market.
The two-way transaction is worth approximately $110 billion.
