Warning China could ‘take lessons’ from Ukraine after White House clash
Crumbling US support for Ukraine could have consequences much closer to home, a senior Coalition senator is warning.
China could “take lessons” from US crumbling support for Ukraine and apply them to the Indo-Pacific, a senior Coalition senator has cautioned.
The warning comes after Donald Trump’s infamous White House clash with Volodymyr Zelensky compounded concerns Washington will abandon Ukraine as it fights off invading Russian forces.
The broadcast stoush triggered alarm bells in Western capitals and jubilance in Moscow.
But opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said on Sunday Beijing could be eyeing the situation as a blueprint for Taiwan.
“If there is a ceasefire that is forced on Ukraine, unacceptable to Ukraine, that is significant win to Vladimir Putin that will not just embolden him but others around the world, including in our region,” Senator Paterson told the ABC.
“If there’s a ceasefire without adequate security guarantees, particularly led by the United States, then there is nothing to stop Putin resuming his war at another stage when he is ready.
“That would be a disaster for everyone.”
He went on to say Australia “wouldn’t want China to misinterpret what is happening in Europe”.
“Firstly, we want the Americans to continue to support Ukraine because it is possible that China would take lessons in our region, including in relation to Taiwan, which would be a disaster.
“It would be a mistake for China to believe that the United States views the Indo-Pacific in the same way.”
Though, Senator Paterson added “most America first people” he had met in US foreign policy circles told him “that America is a resident power in the Pacific”.
“There is no retreat for them and we shouldn’t expect that on this administration or any other,” he said.
Tensions with China have been building over the past decade as Canberra and Beijing find themselves competing for regional influence.
What has been largely an economic rivalry has in recent years taken an increasingly militaristic shape, with the Albanese government warning of a “new Indo-Pacific missile age”.
The new nature of the contest has been highlighted by the Chinese warships now lurking off Australia’s south coast.
Bipartisan backing
Senator Paterson also reaffirmed the Coalition’s support for Ukraine.
“I think Australia’s military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine has been very important,” he said.
“It should continue. We should continue to examine what else we can do in that department.”
Thank you for your support. https://t.co/1NQHAcowvh
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир ЗеленÑький (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2025
Later on Sunday, Anthony Albanese praised the Ukrainian President as “a hero” during a press conference in Sydney.
“He has provided leadership at an extraordinarily difficult time,” the Prime Minister said of Mr Zelensky.
“Russia is a very large country which borders Ukraine.
“They have a substantially larger military and capacity, and at the time of the illegal and immoral Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were many people writing … that this was a conflict that would last days or weeks … there weren’t many suggesting that more than three years later now the Ukrainian people are continuing to defend their sovereignty and their nation.
“They have shown great bravery, and President Zelenskyy has shown leadership.”
He added that there was “absolute bipartisan support of everyone in the national parliament” for Ukraine.
Mr Albanese was among the many world leaders to publicly post messages of support for Mr Zelenskyy and his country after the clash with the US President.
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