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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia stands with Ukraine but would not criticise US President Donald Trump for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator and accusing the country of starting the war.

The PM was specifically asked to respond to Trump’s comments, in which the president said Zelensky was a “dictator without elections” who had stolen from the US, while implying Ukraine had started the war that was, in fact, initiated by Russia’s invasion.

“Is that the sort of language that needs to be used in that space at this time?” a journalist asked Albanese.

“I speak for Australia’s interests and Australia stands with Ukraine in their struggle, which is a struggle not just for their own national sovereignty, but it is a struggle to stand up for the international rule of law,” he replied.

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Albanese then moved to finish the press conference, but another journalist asked Albanese about the election, with the prime minister taking the opportunity to criticise Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

“Peter Dutton, one year ago, called for an election to stop tax cuts. A tax cut for you getting more money in your pocket as a result of the changes we made in legislation,” Albanese said.

“I’m focused not on election days, I’m focused on working every single day for working Australians.”

Read more about Trump’s comments here.