The United States and Australia have called on countries that have influence over Russia, particularly China, to exert pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
This was reported by the Pentagon press service.
It was noted that bilateral negotiations in the "2+2" format took place recently in the American city of Annapolis. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, and their Australian counterparts Penny Wong and Richard Marles attended the talks.
One of the topics of the meeting between U.S. and Australian representatives was Russia's war against Ukraine. They condemned Moscow for starting the war, called for the withdrawal of troops from Ukrainian territory, and demanded compensation for the damage.
'They 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,' the Pentagon's statement read.
The United States and Australia 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.
Additionally, both countries condemned Iran for supporting Russia by providing drones and missiles. The United States and Australia also condemned the growing 'friendship' between Russia and North Korea, including the supply of North Korean weapons to Russia for the war against Ukraine.
