'Russia Must Pay For Damage': Australia, U.S. Urge Moscow To 'Immediately, Completely, Unconditionally Withdraw' From Ukraine

The United States and Australia on Tuesday called on Russia to pay for the damage it has caused Ukraine, noting Moscow’s obligation to do this under international law.

Top defence and diplomatic officials from Washington and Canberra met Tuesday for the annual Australia-U.S. AUSMIN talks in Annapolis, to tackle "shared security challenges, from China's coercive behavior to Russia’s war of choice against Ukraine, to the turmoil in the Middle East," as Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin put it, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports from the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

"We deeply appreciate Australia’s commitments to Ukraine’s defense," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said opening the meeting. Australia is the largest non-NATO military contributor to Ukraine, providing air-defense capabilities, to helping train Ukrainian personnel in the UK, he said.

Both countries condemned Russia’s illegal and immoral war against Ukraine, and again called on Moscow to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its forces from within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, according to their joint statement.

They also expressed support for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine and reaffirmed the need to reach a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.

"The principals called on all those with influence on Russia, particularly China, to exert it now to end the war and to cease support to Russia’s defense industrial base. They reaffirmed their position that those supporting Russia’s illegal war will face consequences and reiterated their intent to raise the costs against actors in third countries that materially support Russia’s war," reads the joint statement.

The ministers also condemned Iran’s nuclear-related expansions, proliferation of ballistic missiles, and provision of drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. "The principals reiterated deep concern over Iran’s human rights violations and abuses, especially against women, girls, and members of minority groups, and expressed a shared commitment to standing with the people of Iran."

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Blinken also addressed the crisis in the Middle East saying that the U.S. has communicated to both Iran and Israel that conflict in the region must not escalate.   "We've been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, communicating that message directly to Iran. We've communicated that message directly to Israel," he said.

Everyone in the region should understand the risks of escalation and miscalculation, he added. "Further attacks only raise the risk of dangerous outcomes that no one can predict and no one can fully control."

Austin also confirmed the Pentagon will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster defenses in the region.

"What I've been focused on is making sure that we're doing everything we can to put measures in place to protect our troops and also make sure that we're in a good position to aid in the defense of Israel, if called upon to do that," he  said.

Blinken concluded by saying that talks to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal on the war in Gaza had reached their final stage and should end very soon.