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Albanese pledges more tanks for Ukraine and backs tougher sanctions during Vatican meetings

He noted that almost every leader he met in Rome claimed a personal connection to Australia—a testament to its diaspora and international reputation.

Australia will soon dispatch another tranche of battle tanks to Ukraine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during their bilateral meeting on the margins of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass at the Vatican on Saturday. Zelenskiy, in turn, urged Canberra to impose further sanctions on Russia as the conflict in Eastern Europe enters its fourth year.

“More tanks are on their way,” Mr Albanese confirmed, reiterating Australia’s commitment of A$1.5 billion in military and defence assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in early 2022.

Zelenskiy presses for sanctions, prisoner swap assistance

President Zelenskiy thanked Australia “very much for your military support, for your strong words and supporting the coalition of the willing,” and called for deeper economic pressure on Moscow. According to a transcript released by the Prime Minister’s office, Zelenskiy said,

“Together we can move closer to peace—with pressure on Russia. We are very thankful for sanctions. I wanted to raise with you…to put more pressure, more sanctions on Russia.”

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Mr Albanese affirmed Australia’s 1,400 existing sanctions against Russian individuals and entities and pledged to explore additional measures. He also sought further Ukrainian cooperation in securing the release of Australian academic Oscar Jenkins, held in Kyiv’s detention system, thanking Zelenskiy “for what you have said with Mr Jenkins.”

European Union discussions highlight defence ties

Earlier in the day, Mr Albanese met privately with EU President Ursula von der Leyen, who floated the possibility of closer defence cooperation between Australia and the European Union. While no formal agreement was struck, the two leaders discussed how shared values—particularly support for international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty—could underpin deeper security ties.

Image Source- X/@AlboMP
Image Source- X/@AlboMP

“It was an assertion of Europe’s values being consistent with Australia’s values…and in what ways we could explore further defence cooperation,”

Mr Albanese told reporters.

They also reviewed progress on the stalled Australia–EU free trade agreement, with both sides expressing optimism about resolving remaining agricultural access issues.

Vatican visit underscores Australia’s global standing

Mr Albanese described his invitation to the papal inauguration as an “extraordinary honour” and called his brief audience with Pope Leo XIV “very warm and personal.” He told the pontiff that Australia’s five million Catholics would be “watching and wishing him well in his pontificate,” and shared a poignant moment recalling his late mother, a devout Catholic, who he felt was “looking down from heaven with the biggest smile.”

“The Australian people need to be proud of how we are seen in the world,” Mr Albanese reflected.

“We’re straight talkers, we get things done, we’re a multicultural nation.”

He noted that almost every leader he met in Rome claimed a personal connection to Australia—a testament to its diaspora and international reputation.

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A coalition of the willing for Ukraine

Mr Albanese said Australia stood ready to join any future peace process or “coalition of the willing” convened by Britain and France—provided it secured Ukraine’s consent and set clear conditions for Russia. Until then, Canberra will maintain robust military, financial and diplomatic support.

“We’ve said if a peace process emerges, we would consider being involved in a coalition of the willing. Until then, we’ll continue to provide support,”

he said.

As world leaders returned home from the Vatican, Australia’s message was clear: strengthened defence ties, tougher economic measures on Russia, and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, even as global attention shifts across a host of crises, from the Middle East to climate change.

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