The prime minister has landed in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius for a NATO summit on Tuesday afternoon (AEST) after announcing the deployment of an Australian reconnaissance aircraft to Europe during a visit to Germany.
At the summit, his second since becoming prime minister, Mr Albanese will attend a special meeting alongside Australia's "Indo-Pacific Four" partners: Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
Mr Albanese said Australia's national interest was best served by having a "seat at the table".
"We are a significant player when it comes to defending democracy, defending the rule of law and Australia's standing is reflected by the fact that I've been invited to the last two NATO summits," he told reporters in Berlin.
Although not a member of NATO, Australia has worked with the alliance since 2005 and been an "enhanced opportunities partner" since 2014.
Mr Albanese will meet NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg and French president Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the summit.
In July last year, Mr Albanese and Mr Macron started work on a new agenda for co-operation based on defence, climate, education and culture.
He will also meet his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, Portuguese leader Antonio Costa and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Mr Albanese said he also hoped to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
A key meeting will be with a bipartisan delegation of US senators who will play a role in passing laws to enable the transfer of Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Mr Albanese earlier announced Australia would deploy a surveillance aircraft for logistical support to Ukraine.
The Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft would help protect multinational logistics hubs and allow the free flow of aid, but not enter Ukraine airspace.
The aircraft will be deployed for six months and based in Germany.
Mr Albanese said the deployment would include up to 100 crew and support personnel from Australia.
The prime minister reaffirmed Australia's backing for the Ukrainian government.
"This is about the people of Ukraine, struggling to defend their democracy and their sovereignty," he said.
While the Liberal-National coalition has continued to accuse the government of dropping the ball on military aid to Ukraine, Mr Albanese said the deployment length of the RAAF aircraft was what had been requested by partners.
"This is very much in in our interest to see the logistics around the Ukrainian effort defended and that is what this aircraft will be able to do," he said.
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