Let Russia be warning to Beijing, says Albo
IF BEIJING tries 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 said 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 regimes that break international law.
Mr Albanese said the war in Ukraine was 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 the Ukrainian resistance as well as how the invasion would bring together nations to oppose his regime.
“The democratic world has never been more united in standing up against authoritarianism,” he said.
Asked about China, Mr Albanese said 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.”
The PM said Australians should be “very proud” the nation “does punch above our weight internationally”. “We’re the largest NON-NATO contributor to the effort in Ukraine for example,” he said.
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 summit he will meet UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and other key allies.
Asked what he would consider a “successful” trip, Mr Albanese said: “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”.