“The good thing is, Australia and Europe are reliable partners. We’re predictable. We share the same values.
“And this is the reason also that we do not only see you as a trading partner, but we see you as a strategic partner, and we would very much like to broaden this strategic partnership.
“For example, we have signed security and defence agreements with South Korea and with Japan, soon with the UK. We would be very pleased if we could develop such a security and defence partnership too, just to broaden the strategic partnership.”
The EU signed a defence partnership with South Korea last November to set up joint talks on security and intelligence, clear the way for military exercises, respect sea borders and work together on cybersecurity.
While the agreement did not name any adversaries, it focused on risks that have been aired in the past in relation to Russia and China, such as cybersecurity.
Albanese expressed caution about the EU suggestion when speaking to reporters after his meeting with von der Leyen, but he was open about the prospect of closer defence ties.
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“We said that we were certainly interested in any further engagement of support, but it’s very early stages at this point,” he said.
Albanese said the further talks would take place at NATO or with the EU. Australia works with NATO, for instance in sending military aid to Ukraine, as one of the “Indo Pacific Four” along with Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
“I wouldn’t over-read what Ursula von der Leyen statements were,” he said. “It was a suggestion by the president that the relationship was based upon not just economic relations, but based upon our values.
“And it’s no accident that Europe has defended the Ukrainian people, and so has Australia. We will stand up for the international rule of law.”
Zelensky told Albanese that Ukraine wanted tougher sanctions on Russia, but he also thanked Australia for the sanctions it had already imposed along with the delivery of military support and humanitarian aid worth $1.5 billion.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Together, we can really move this situation closer to peace, with pressure on Russia,” Zelensky said.
“And we are very thankful for sanctions. I want to raise with you also this topic, which is very important: put more pressure, more sanctions on Russia.”
Albanese told reporters afterwards that Australia had already imposed 1400 sanctions against Russian individuals and companies, but he left open the idea of doing more.
“We continue to look at whatever we can do to place pressure on Russia,” he said.
“It’s important, as well, that we continue to send the message to the globe that we stand with Ukraine.”
Albanese confirmed in public on Sunday that he was prepared to consider any proposal for a “coalition of the willing” to send a peacekeeping force to Ukraine if peace could be achieved.
The “coalition of the willing” was suggested by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to patrol Ukraine if a peace deal was signed.
While Albanese said earlier this year that he was willing to consider Australian help for the peacekeeping force, this provoked a dispute with Peter Dutton when he was Liberal leader and opposition leader. Dutton rejected the idea of sending Australian troops, even as part of a peacekeeping force.
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