Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday to express Australia’s ongoing support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
The background: On Wednesday night, Albanese posted a tweet saying he had spoken with Zelenskyy and conveyed Australia’s "admiration for the courage, resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people to defend their sovereignty and the international rule of law."
The key quote: "We will continue our support for the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes." — Anthony Albanese.
Ukraine's war with Russia has now been going for more than 27 months. Source: Getty / Fadel Senna / AFP via Getty Images
Zelenskyy said he"highly appreciate[s] Australia’s willingness to be present at the summit," and stressed "the need to encourage as many nations from around the globe as possible to attend it".
What happens next: Albanese’s department deputy secretary Graham Fletcher told a parliamentary hearing that the prime minister is yet to decide on attending the mid-June peace summit.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia urged Albanese or a high-level minister to attend, the Australian Associated Press reported.
