Australia’s Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman David Coleman believes it is too early to speculate on the outcome of negotiations between the United States and the Ukraine.
Coleman said the United States had provided enormous support to Ukraine and some of its most advanced weapons systems, including the Javelin anti-tank missile launcher.
Without these weapons, the Ukraine would not have been able to do such a “tremendous job” fighting back against Russia, he noted.
“We have to focus on the actual outcome, not on the the steps along the way, so to speak. And I think that we obviously want to see the U.S. involved in that outcome, we want to see the U.S. with a strong role in the future of Ukraine—but it’s premature to speculate on that, as further negotiations continue,” Coleman said on ABC Radio National on March 3.
“What really matters is securing a peace that both ends the killing of innocent Ukrainians and respects the sovereignty of Ukraine in the future.”
The shadow foreign minister also said the United States is and would “continue to be” Australia’s most significant ally.
What Played Out
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy began with optimism to sign-off on a critical minerals deal that would open the door for U.S. businesses to set up in east Ukraine.The plan is aimed at creating a future buffer zone against Russia—Putin would never attack U.S. citizens—and try to stimulate the Ukrainian economy.
However, after about 40 minutes, things took a wrong turn when Zelenskyy asked Vice President J.D. Vance about whether Putin could be trusted.
“In 2019, we signed with him the deal—[French President Emmanuel] Macron, and [then-German Chancellor Angela] Merkel—we signed a ceasefire ... but after that he broke the ceasefire, he killed our people and he didn’t exchange prisoners. What kind of diplomacy J.D. are you speaking about?” the Ukrainian president asked in front of the press.
Vance responded saying that Zelenskyy should not try to litigate such issues “in front of the American media,” given the purpose of the meeting was to sign the first deal in a series of negotiations.
Zelenskyy continued arguing his position warning the United States that at the moment it had “nice oceans” to protect it, and that it wouldn’t feel [danger] now, but “would feel it in the future.”
A phrase that Trump responded to saying he could not predict how things would eventuate.
Trump warned Zelenskyy that his country was “not in a very good position.”
“You’re not acting at all thankful,” and said, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
Zelenskyy said during the meeting “I’m very serious, Mr. President. I’m the president in a war.”
He also reflected on Ukraine’s fight and losses on the war, saying, “We are fighting. We are losing people every day.”
However, Trump also said he was not aligned with the Russian leader during the meeting, “I’m not aligned with Putin, I am not aligned with anybody, I’m aligned with the United States of America.”
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” he wrote.
The U.S. president said it was amazing what comes out through emotion and also had a warning for Zelenskyy.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump said.
“I don’t want advantage, I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
The confrontation ended with Zelenskyy leaving the White House without signing a minerals agreement.
Trump also shared a Truth Social post from Michael McCune of Arizona on March 3 that noted by negotiating a mineral deal, Trump would ensure Americans would be involved in Ukraine’s mining industry.
Labor Government Says Australia ‘Stand with Ukraine’
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has reiterated that Australia “absolutely stands with Ukraine” but insisted the United States and Australia were still close.“We absolutely reject the idea that Russia was not the aggressor here. It is very plain that the Russian invasion was illegal and immoral. We continue to stand with Ukraine. I’m pleased to see European leaders reiterate that on the weekend,” she said on Sunrise.
Plibersek noted the prime minister had held several very warm conversations with Trump.
“It is a really strong indication of the closeness of the relationship that our foreign minister was one of the few invited to the inauguration of the president,” she said.
Senator Reflects on America First Policy
Meanwhile, Liberal Senator Dave Sharma said Trump had been quite clear there was now a different policy— “America First.”Sharma reflected that this will mean Australia needs to take a greater responsibility for its own defence and security.
“It leaves us in a position where we need to do a lot more to look after our own defence and security needs. I mean, in the Asia Pacific, the U.S. has a strong network of alliances, including with Australia, but also with Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand that underpins stability in that region,” Sharma said on the Today Show.
“And if the U.S. can’t be relied upon to always uphold those alliance relationships unless it sees it in its own interests, then we will need to do more.”
