Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that Australia is open to sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, marking a significant shift in the government’s stance. This comes amidst escalating international discussions about how to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia particularly as President Donald Trump just paused the United States’ military aid to Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Albanese said his government would consider any formal requests for Australian involvement in peacekeeping operations. “Australia has historically played an important role in areas including in Africa, in Cyprus, in a range of peacekeeping areas,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that Russia’s “illegal, immoral actions” are not rewarded.
“We want to see peace in Ukraine, but we want to make sure the illegal, immoral actions of Russia are not rewarded, and that Vladimir Putin and his designs that are imperialistic are not rewarded or encouraged,” he said.
This statement comes just a day after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy appeared to rule out such a commitment. However, he said, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we are proud to be the biggest dominant non-NATO contributor.”
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a government official was also heard saying that peacekeeping operations were “not under consideration at this time”.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rejected the idea of sending Australian troops, arguing that European nations should take responsibility for their region’s security. “There’s no need for Australia to send troops,” Dutton said on Monday, per The Australian.
“The European nations, particularly the bigger nations, can’t continue to rely [on] financial or military support from the United States. They need to chip in themselves.”
This debate unfolds in the wake of Trump’s absolute shit show of a meeting at the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. Trump accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for US support and claimed (falsely) that Ukraine had started the war.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Trump said.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III.”
The White House has since stated that aid is being reviewed to ensure it contributes to a resolution.
“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” a White House official stated on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for an international “coalition of the willing” to enforce any potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
The UK and France have already expressed their willingness to commit “boots on the ground, and planes in the air”, as part of this effort, per the BBC. Starmer has stressed urgency in planning and said Europe must take the lead.
“Europe must do the heavy lifting,” he said.
“Let me be clear, we agree with Trump on the urgent need for a durable peace. Now we need to deliver together.”
While no formal requests have been made yet for Australian peacekeepers, Albanese’s comments indicate that his government is prepared to play an active role if needed. “Australia determines our foreign policy,” he said, per The Guardian.
“It’s in Australia’s national interest to stand with Ukraine and that’s what our government is doing.”
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