Latest news with #AlexanderDowner
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Free riding': Australia must increase defence spending to strengthen its position
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer argues Australia should not create the impression of 'free riding' off the US amid calls to increase defence spending. 'Well, we don't want to give the Americans the impression that we're free riding as the Europeans have been doing for a long time,' Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'What's happened to Europe is that Russia has invaded Ukraine; Europe, if you like, is at war, and they are totally dependent on the Americans."
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘You can never win': Former foreign minister weighs in on Russia-Ukraine war
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer discusses the role of the United States and Europe in the Russia-Ukraine War. 'The other thing is the Europeans and the Americans are now starting to give still more support to Ukraine in particular, providing them with long-range missiles,' Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'So, what's the big picture here? The picture is that President Trump and the Europeans want a ceasefire, and that's a good ambition to have; then they have to convince the Russians that the Russians can never win. 'If I were the President of the United States, that'd be my message to President Putin, look mate, you can never win this war, and I'm going to make sure you never can, so let's have a ceasefire.'
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Russia, Iran, and China work together to ‘undermine the West'
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer urges Australians to 'understand the linkages' between the wars in Europe and the Middle East, and the roles of Russia, Iran, and China. 'Understand the linkages between the wars that are happening in Europe and the Middle East, the role of Iran, the relationship between Iran and Russia, and of course, the ATM for Iran and Russia, that's China,' Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'The risks of these three, working together, which they are doing, to undermine the West. 'The worst thing that could happen would be a war between the United States and its allies, and China, over Taiwan.'
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Albanese urged to ‘patch up' relationship with Israel
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'at some stage should visit Israel'. 'He could've done it over the last three years, and now he has three more years,' Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'The Australian government needs to reconcile with the Israeli government. 'The Australian government's name is marred in Israel for the very harsh position it took after the massacres on the 7th of October – there is a patch-up job that has to be done.'
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Trump ‘embarrasses' South African President at White House
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says it was 'unusual' for US President Donald Trump to 'embarrass' South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House. President Trump confronted President Ramaphosa over the white farmers being attacked and murdered in South Africa. 'Normally, what you'd expect is a quiet word spoken off camera, and that's how diplomacy normally works,' Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'To have done that would've been completely ineffectual. 'In defence of Donald Trump… this has highlighted an issue which is apparently a very serious and significant issue in South Africa. 'It is a way of trying to get the South African government to do something to stop it.'
