TRANSCRIPT
On the sidelines of the historic inaugural mass...
Anthony Albanese has met face-to-face with Ukraine's President, Volodomyr Zelenskyy for the first time since 2023, confirming Australia's continuing military support.
"The Australian government's position, that I lead, is very supportive of your struggle. We have tanks that are on the way at the moment, which is a very positive initiative, we've provided now about 1.5 billion dollars in support."
Mr Zelenskyy thanked Mr Albanese for the ongoing support, but urged Australia to apply further sanctions on Russia.
"Together we can really move this situation closer to peace, through applying pressure on Russia. We are very thankful for sanctions, I'd also like to raise this topic with you, which is very important, to put more pressure, more sanctions on Russia."
Earlier, Mr Albanese met with European Union President, Ursula Von Der Leyen, who raised the prospect of a formal defence pact between the EU and Australia.
"We do not only see you as a trading partner, we also see you as a strategic partner. We'd like to broaden this strategic partnership. For example, we have signed defence agreements with South Korea and with Japan, soon with the UK, we would be very pleased if we could build a strategic and defence partnership, too."
Mr Albanese focused on Australia's strong economic relationship with the E-U in his own comments, a focus which reflects Australia's ongoing efforts to carve out a trade agreement with the E-U.
On the question of strengthening Australia's defence relationship with the EU, Mr Albanese responded cautiously, later telling reporters no further detail had been provided.
"This was just a suggestion that Ursula Von Der Leyen raised, there was no detail further, it was really just an assertion of Europe's values being consistent with Australia's values, and in what ways could be explored further defence cooperation."
Mr Albanese also spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
And, while he did not meet with U-S Vice President J-D Vance, who also attended the inauguration, he did have a brief conversation with the man of the moment, Pope Leo, in St Peter's Basilica after the mass.
Mr Albanese, who was raised Catholic, says his meeting with the new pontiff was a very positive one.
"He expressed warmth about Australia, I told him it was a great honour for me to be there, I spoke to him about how my mother would be, is I'm sure looking down from heaven with the biggest smile she's ever had."
