Albo warns China

IF Beijing tried to impose its will “by force” it would face a unified resistance from the same countries standing against Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Anthony Albanese has warned.

As he arrived in Spain for the NATO summit in Madrid, the Prime Minister revealed he hoped to use the trip to repair Australia’s relationship with France, progress a free trade deal with the European Union and work with world leaders to stand against autocratic regimes who break international law.

Mr Albanese said the war in Ukraine was an issue of “enormous global significance”.

“If a sovereign country can be brutally invaded, against all of the international rules of law, then it has real implications for global peace and security,” he said.

Mr Albanese said he regarded the war as a “strategic failure for Russia”, as President Vladimir Putin had underestimated not just the Ukrainian resistance, but also how the invasion would bring together nations in opposition to his regime.

“The democratic world has never been more united in standing up against authoritarianism,” he said.

Asked about what message Chinese Communist Party should take from the NATO summit, Mr Albanese suggested there were lessons Beijing could learn from Russia’s mistakes.

“There are real implications behind a non-democratic regime seeking to impose its will by force,” he said.

“Part of what is occurring in the response of the world to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is sending a message that such a behaviour and breaches of international law will be resisted. It will be resisted by democratic countries across the globe … and I think there are implications there for any country considering actions which disrupt good world order.”

Australia has been invited to the summit as part of the “Asia-Pacific Four,” which also includes New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

Mr Albanese said Australia was “not immune” from the effects of the war in Ukraine, pointing to soaring petrol prices and supply chain issues.

“Globalisation has meant that we’re all interconnected, so Australia has a responsibility to engage in international affairs because we will be impacted,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Australians should be “very proud” the nation “does punch above our weight internationally”.

Mr Albanese has been invited to visit Kyiv by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but is awaiting security advice on the matter.

On the sidelines of the NATO summit he will meet with US President Joe Biden, UK PM Boris Johnson, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and other key allies.

Asked what he would consider a “successful” trip, Mr Albanese had a list of goals he hoped to achieve.

“That we’ve enhanced our relationship with our partners, that Australia is more respected as a result of the visit, that the potential for finalising an EU trade deal is more likely, and that we’ve also engaged with businesses in Australia’s national interest,” he said.

Reflecting on his first month in office, Mr Albanese said he had forged a “very warm relationship” with President Biden, and was looking forward to seeing him again.

Overnight Mr Albanese took part in a one-on-one meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez – the first such meeting in history.

The long-negotiated free trade agreement with the EU was a top concern for Mr Albanese heading into the meeting.

Later this week Mr Albanese will travel to Paris, where he will seek to repair Australia’s relationship with France after the Morrison government’s decision to axe a $90bn submarine contract.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s now infamous declaration he did not “think” but “know” former PM Scott Morrison lied to him in his handling of the issue was a low point in the relationship.

Leaked texts between the two leaders showing Mr Macron was aware Australia was likely to ditch the French subs only further soured the relationship.

Asked how he would have handled the complex issue differently, Mr Albanese said he would have prioritised “diplomacy and integrity”.

“Australia’s national interests are not protected by the leaking of text messages between leaders,” he said.