Australia cautiously welcomes steps to Ukraine peace
Australia has welcomed steps toward peace in Ukraine after a deal between the US and Russia but warned there can be no reward for its aggression.
US President Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to a 30-day “immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure” after a lengthy phone call between the two.
Further discussions for a full ceasefire were flagged but it remains unclear the extent to which Ukraine will be involved as Washington and Moscow press ahead with talks.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Any peace terms needed to involve Ukraine, which had to be empowered throughout the entire process, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
“The other point here is that it’s really important that Russia is not rewarded in what is put forward here and how this plays out,” he told Nine’s Today Show on Wednesday.
“We do want to see peace, but it can’t be peace on any terms.
“At the end of the day, Russia are the aggressors here, Russia are the ones who have done wrong and we need to be standing with Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flagged support for the proposal to stop strikes against energy infrastructure and welcomed steps towards peace.
But he said he wanted to speak with Mr Trump to find out what was offered by each side as part of the agreement.
The Ukrainian president also called for Europe to be involved in any peace process.
Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Russian oil depots and refineries and knocked out up to 10 per cent of refining capacity during some weeks in February, according to Reuters analysis.
Mr Zelensky said there was a build-up of Russian forces near the Sumy region in Ukraine’s northeast and that Moscow was preparing new offensives along other fronts in the coming months.
Mr Putin said an enduring ceasefire would require military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine being cut off.
Australia has given $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including military hardware such as Bushmaster vehicles and Abrams tanks that are set to arrive in the second half of 2024.
with Reuters
