Would-be PM Peter Dutton vows to ‘lobby’ President Trump as US support for Ukraine in doubt

Peter Dutton has vowed to “lobby” US President Donald Trump to change his position on Ukraine if he wins the next election, as the fallout from the incredible White House stoush trickles into Australia’s pre-election fray.

The Opposition Leader on Monday said he was “disappointed” by the way “modern-day hero” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was treated by Mr Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday, where the pair accused him of not being grateful and of “gambling with World War Three”.

The future of Washington’s support for Kyiv looks increasingly certain, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to warn Europe was now “at a crossroads in history” as the continent’s leaders pledged to back in Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.

Led by the UK and France, European leaders met on Sunday to hash out a four-phase plan to end the conflict with Mr Zelenskyy, with hopes Washington will cooperate.

A so-called “coalition of the willing” would implement the plan, with Mr Starmer saying he was prepared to back it in with “boots on the ground”, stressing Europe “must do the heavy lifting”.

But both sides of Australian politics have downplayed suggestions ADF troops should join.

“We will consider the details of any proposal, but the deployment of Australian troops to support peacekeeping forces in Ukraine is not under consideration at this time,” a Government spokesperson said.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Australia “was not envisaging that sort of commitment”.

“But we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are proud to be the biggest non-NATO contributor,” he said.

Mr Dutton said there’s “no need for Australia to send troops, but we should continue our support”.

“I think it’s important for Europe to step up. It seems that that’s what’s happening at the moment. Keir Starmer’s leadership, and the way in which he’s been able to bring NATO countries together to provide that support across Europe, I think, is important,” he said.

Speaking from his own electorate of Dickson, Mr Dutton gave a stern rebuke of Mr Trump and Mr Vance for their treatment of Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week.

“I was disappointed by the scenes out of the White House,” he said.

“I believe that President Zelensky requires the support of European countries, of the United States, and countries like Australia as well.

“When the Prime Minister says that we live in the most precarious period since the Second World War, he’s right. What we know is that bullies don’t respect weakness, and we are going to stand up with like-minded countries in support of peace in Europe, and make sure that Russia can feel the pressure of having to settle a deal quickly, so that Ukraine and her people can get on with a normal life as quickly as possible.”

Mr Dutton said if he became Prime Minister at the next election — due by May 17 — he would not be afraid to make tough decisions, including standing up to friends and allies where views have diverged.

“In relation to Ukraine, the Australian view at the moment is different to the United States, and my job as Prime Minister will be to lobby the President of the United States to reconsider his position in relation to Ukraine, because I think it’s in all of our collective best interests if we’re able to provide support to Ukraine,” he said.

Asked what he made of those quotes, Mr Conroy said “responsible Government’s don’t disclose publicly what they say privately”.

“We respect confidences,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia will continue to back in Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, saying it was “an issue of doing what’s right, but also what is in Australia’s national interest”.

“The brave people of Ukraine, led so extraordinarily by President Zelensky, are fighting not just for their national sovereignty and for their democracy,” he told cabinet on Monday morning.

“They are fighting for the international rule of law. And it is an easy choice that Australia has made.”

Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko thanked both Mr Albanese and Mr Dttfor their “steadfast support”.

“We are enormously grateful for what has been done so far,” he said.

“We’ve never had such great relations with Australia as we have it now.”