Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has firmly aligned with European allies in demanding that any plan to end the war in Ukraine must fully respect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This statement comes amid a fierce international backlash against a peace proposal reportedly backed by former US President Donald Trump, which contained several pro-Russian concessions.
Global Backlash Against Trump's Proposal
The controversial plan, which was initially presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a deadline, prompted outrage for its demands on Kyiv. The proposal called for Ukraine to cede territory it currently controls to Russia, significantly reduce the size of its armed forces, and relinquish its long-range weapons. Furthermore, it ruled out a European peacekeeping force and any sanctions for Russian war crimes.
Following the criticism, European leaders presented an alternative framework during talks in Geneva. This version omitted the most contentious pro-Russia points and instead emphasised the need to respect Kyiv's sovereignty. It was in this context that Minister Wong voiced Australia's position, stating unequivocally that a lasting peace cannot reward aggression.
Australia's Stance on a Lasting Peace
On Monday, Wong declared that Australia supports efforts to achieve a peace deal that definitively ends what she termed "Russia's illegal and immoral war." She underscored that the security and stability of Europe depend on the outcome.
"A lasting peace should uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, support security and stability in Europe, and ensure Russia does not renew its aggression," Wong stated, echoing the sentiments of other Western nations.
The Australian government's position was strongly supported by the nation's leading Ukrainian community body. The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) issued a statement unequivocally rejecting the Trump proposal.
Ukrainian Community and Diplomatic Response
Kateryna Argyrou, Chair of the AFUO, labelled the plan a "shameful 'deal'" and a "dangerous capitulation to tyranny." She argued that it would effectively reward Vladimir Putin's aggression by forcing Ukraine to surrender sovereign territory and compromise its future security.
Argyrou called on the Albanese government to join allies like the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and Canada in publicly rejecting the plan, a call that appears to have been answered by Minister Wong's comments.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, emphasised the need for continued pressure on Russia, including more targeted sanctions and the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Kyiv for reconstruction. He warned that any concession is perceived as weakness by the Kremlin. While acknowledging productive talks in Geneva, the ambassador noted it was too early to predict an outcome, stressing that Ukraine is fighting for its survival and democratic values.
In a subsequent development, Donald Trump appeared to walk back the initial proposal, stating it was "not my final offer" and opening the door to significant changes. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, however, described the weekend negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials as "probably the best... so far," indicating that diplomatic efforts are continuing to evolve.
