During a recent press conference in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed Australia’s willingness to consider dispatching peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, stating, “Australia stands ready to assist.”
He emphasised Australia’s resolve to stand firmly with the Ukrainian people, having already pledged $1.5 billion in aid, including $1.3 billion specifically for military assistance. Albanese mentioned ongoing discussions regarding potential peacekeeping roles and indicated that the government is open to evaluating any future proposals.
Despite this readiness, he clarified that no official request for assistance has been made by Zelenskyy thus far. “We haven’t been asked for anything; there are proposals being discussed,” he remarked. The Prime Minister also stressed that Australia sets its own foreign policy, which aligns with national interests, highlighting the importance of opposing the illegal actions of Russia and ensuring that Vladimir Putin’s aggressive ambitions are not rewarded.
Conversely, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed scepticism about deploying Australian troops to Ukraine. He suggested that it is primarily Europe’s responsibility to respond to the conflict, echoing sentiments previously voiced by former President Donald Trump regarding NATO alliances. Dutton argued that European nations should take greater initiative in their own defence, stating, “I don’t see that we should have boots on the ground in Ukraine.”
In his remarks, Albanese reiterated Australia’s strong stance against Russia’s conduct, insisting on the necessity of holding Putin accountable for his imperialistic actions. With the situation in Ukraine continuing to evolve, the Australian government remains poised to respond appropriately should the need arise.